During his visit, Eugene Kaspersky was introduced to the production facilities and modern technologies used at the country’s largest gold mining enterprise. Following his familiarization tour, Eugene Kaspersky shared his impressions of the Kumtor operation, and the IT and information security systems applied there.

— Eugene Valentinovich, what global industrial trends do you think are most relevant today for enterprises of this scale, such as Kumtor?

— I visit a wide variety of enterprises. General trends include, of course, scientific research on how to extract more ore, and further automation of production, primarily transportation. It’s no secret that heavy-duty equipment manufacturers are actively working on this topic, and autonomous dump trucks are already in use in some areas. When they go underground, these vehicles can also be controlled remotely.

In the future, I see global trends moving toward managing mining and the entire production process not just remotely, but from different points on Earth, so miners can work during the day, as the risk of error is slightly higher at night. None of this is possible without digital technology. And where digital technology comes in, there’s cybersecurity.

— We see the mining industry increasingly using elements of artificial intelligence, automation, and data analysis. Which of these areas, in your opinion, will have the greatest impact on the mining industry in the coming years?

— I’m not a leading mining expert, so it’s difficult for me to predict how artificial intelligence will impact the industry. But the areas where AI will definitely impact first are transportation and delivery. I don’t rule out the possibility of semi-automated or automated systems appearing in other areas of the mining industry as well.

— How do you envision global industrial enterprises like Kumtor in 10 years, and what role will digital technologies play in their development?

— In 10 years, it’s clear that enterprises will be much more automated. And, unfortunately, cyberattacks on such enterprises will become more and more common. Therefore, cybersecurity requirements will only increase. This is bad news. The good news is that the Kaspersky Lab team and me are with you to ensure that your enterprise’s cybersecurity system operates securely.

Kaspersky Lab is a leading international technology company specializing in the development of advanced cybersecurity solutions. The company’s products and services provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of digital threats, including malware, spam, network attacks, zero-day threats, and sophisticated targeted APT cyberattacks.The company also has extensive expertise in threat intelligence, including signatures and analytical reports used globally.

With a revenue of $836 million, the company is one of the world’s top four cybersecurity product providers. It operates in more than 200 countries and territories, demonstrating a high level of trust among millions of users and organizations, as well as a strong leadership position in the field of information security.

During the visit, the delegation emphasized that Kumtor Gold Company CJSC demonstrates a high level of cybersecurity maturity, both in terms of the technological solutions used and the professional expertise of its specialists. The current security system complies with best international practices and industry standards, ensuring reliable cybersecurity.