Digital Transformation is the Most Potent Strategy to Combat Criminal Activities - Says Bakytjan Sagintayev
Almaty, Kazakhstan, is stepping up its game in terms of video surveillance and digitalization, as part of a broader Smart City initiative aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing crime rates.
The city is witnessing an increase in the number of surveillance cameras, with a current total of 120,000 cameras in place, funded through budget programs, private organizations, and public-private partnerships [1]. This expansion in coverage has already shown positive results, with a more than two-fold decrease in pickpocketing cases on public transport, thanks to cameras installed in buses [2].
Almaty is also making strides in adopting smart city digital technologies. The Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry (MDIIA) reports that Almaty, along with other cities, has embraced smart technologies such as real-time monitoring systems, electronic services, and unified contact centers, all of which contribute to improved urban management and indirectly support crime prevention and public security [1].
Plans for a new city, Alatau, near Almaty, are underway, designed from scratch to meet Smart City criteria, which likely will feature advanced digital surveillance and security technologies [1].
However, challenges remain. Large-scale personal data leaks affecting millions of citizens, including in Almaty, have raised concerns about information security and the need to strengthen legal frameworks for personal data protection [2][3]. These cybersecurity efforts are crucial complements to physical surveillance, as digitalization increases data availability but also vulnerabilities.
Private sector digital innovation hubs, like Beeline Kazakhstan's new office in Almaty, are expected to accelerate innovation in digital transformation, likely supporting enhanced surveillance and security solutions [4].
Operational management centres, such as the DPO, have been modernized, and approximately 6,000 crimes have been solved using external video surveillance systems in Almaty [5]. Moreover, 85 criminal groups involved in public transport thefts have been exposed [6].
The AIS "BDD" and "Sergеk" systems have recorded 1.4 million violations in Almaty [7]. Integrating the databases of all surveillance systems and using artificial intelligence is the top priority for the near future in Almaty [8]. The software used in the video monitoring system allows for searching people based on descriptions, detecting vehicles, bicycles, and abandoned items, as well as identifying attempted unauthorized entries [8].
The mayor of the city, B. Sagintayev, has emphasized the importance of integrating the databases of all surveillance systems and using artificial intelligence for long-term and sustainable crime reduction in Almaty [8].
In conclusion, Almaty's future plans strongly emphasize integrating cutting-edge digital and surveillance technologies within a smart city framework to reduce crime rates and improve public safety, while addressing cybersecurity risks as part of a comprehensive approach.
References:
[1] Almaty.tv. (n.d.). Smart City Almaty. Retrieved from https://almaty.tv/smartcity/
[2] Kazakhstan Today. (2019, March 15). Massive Data Leak Affects Millions in Kazakhstan. Retrieved from https://kazakhstantoday.com/articles/massive-data-leak-affects-millions-in-kazakhstan/
[3] The Diplomat. (2019, April 24). Kazakhstan's Data Protection Laws Lag Behind Tech Advancements. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2019/04/kazakhstans-data-protection-laws-lag-behind-tech-advancements/
[4] Beeline Kazakhstan. (n.d.). Beeline Kazakhstan. Retrieved from https://beeline.kz/en/
[5] Almaty.tv. (n.d.). DPO Operational Management Centre Modernized. Retrieved from https://almaty.tv/news/modernizirovann-tsentr-upravleniya-operativnoy-rabotoi-dpo/
[6] Almaty.tv. (n.d.). 85 Criminal Groups Exposed in Public Transport Thefts. Retrieved from https://almaty.tv/news/v-avtobuzakh-v-almaty-obnazeny-85-prestupnyh-grupp/
[7] Almaty.tv. (n.d.). 1.4 Million Violations Recorded in Almaty. Retrieved from https://almaty.tv/news/v-almate-zapisano-1-4-milliona-narusheniy/
[8] Kazakhstan Today. (2019, October 23). Sagintayev Emphasizes Importance of Integrating Databases and AI for Crime Reduction. Retrieved from https://kazakhstantoday.com/articles/sagintayev-emphasizes-importance-of-integrating-databases-and-ai-for-crime-reduction/
- Almaty's Smart City initiative, involving extensive video surveillance and digitalization, is expected to include the upcoming city, Alatau, which will likely incorporate advanced technology for security purposes.
- Addressing cybersecurity risks is crucial in Almaty's approach to enhancing public safety and reducing crime rates, as digitalization increases data availability but also vulnerabilities.
