Ualikhanov University Hosts International Conference on Digital Security Threats

On October 16, Ualikhanov University hosted an international scientific and practical conference titled “Modern Digital Security Threats: Countering Fraud, Online Scams, and Money Muling.” The event was organized by the Department of Law at the Higher School of Business and Law.

The conference brought together government officials, representatives of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, legal professionals, researchers from Kazakhstan and abroad, faculty members, doctoral and master's students, and undergraduates.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Ardak Kapyshyev, Vice-Rector for Social and Cultural Development at Ualikhanov University, and Abai Iskakov, Director of the Higher School of Business and Law. Bagdat Rakhmetulina, Associate Professor at the Department of Law, served as moderator.

Among the participants were Nurkat Batyrkulov, Head of the Akmola Regional Department of Kazakhstan's Agency for Civil Service Affairs, alongside representatives of the Akmola Regional Court, Prosecutor's Office, Police Department, Economic Investigation Department, Department of Justice, and practicing lawyers.

The academic community was represented by scholars from leading universities across Kazakhstan, including Zhamaladin Ibragimov, Professor at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, and Olzhas Seitzhanov, Professor at Maqsut Narikbayev University. Researchers from Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University and other higher education institutions also joined the discussions.

International scholars participated online, including Dilbar Suyunova, Professor at Tashkent State University of Law (Uzbekistan); Asan Ormushev, Professor at Kyrgyz International University (Kyrgyzstan); and Ruslan Puzikov, Candidate of Legal Sciences at Derzhavin Tambov State University (Russia).

Throughout the plenary session and panel discussions, participants explored emerging forms of online fraud, money muling schemes and related criminal liability, the protection of personal and banking data, and legal approaches to combating cybercrime. Particular attention was given to international best practices, strengthening public awareness of digital rights and responsibilities, and the potential of artificial intelligence in preventing and investigating cybercrime.

The conference featured two thematic sessions: “Improving Criminal Legislation: Legal Challenges in Classifying Online Fraud and International Approaches to Combating Digital Crime” and “Protecting Citizens in the Digital Environment: Fraud Prevention and Safeguards Against Criminal Schemes.”

Alongside established academics and legal practitioners, doctoral students, master's students, and undergraduates presented their research. Their contributions addressed the legal dimensions of online fraud, personal data protection, cybercrime prevention, and the use of artificial intelligence to tackle emerging digital threats.

The conference provided a valuable platform for exchanging research findings and practical expertise, discussing pressing challenges in digital security, and strengthening cooperation between universities, government institutions, and the legal community.