President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev recently approved a decree that introduces a comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategy covering the period from 2026 to 2030. This document aims to create reliable protection for state information systems, personal data of citizens, and the private sector against current digital threats. Among the main directions of the strategy are the technological independence of the country, the development of its own solutions based on artificial intelligence, and the formation of a resilient critical infrastructure capable of effectively countering international cyberattacks.
As part of the new strategy, a National Council for Cybersecurity and the Fight Against Cybercrime will be established, ensuring operational management in this area. Starting from April 1, 2026, specialized units responsible for cybersecurity will begin functioning in key government agencies such as the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Energy, and the Tax Committee. Other agencies will have the opportunity to engage external IT contractors from a specially created state registry. Additionally, a national monitoring system will be established in the republic, allowing for real-time tracking of vulnerabilities and responding to incidents in the network.
The strategy pays special attention to protecting the population from financial fraud. Uzbekistan plans to create a unified anti-phishing solution to block fraudulent websites, and telecommunications operators will be required to implement systems for filtering suspicious calls. The document also simplifies the process of interaction between citizens and law enforcement agencies, allowing for online submissions of reports on cybercrimes. In the educational sector, the introduction of cybersecurity lessons in schools and the creation of youth clubs are planned, which should help develop safe behavior skills in the digital space among young people.
