Global Challenges of Digital Transformation

Abstract

       This article explores the key global challenges of digital transformation in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by the convergence of digital, physical, and biological systems. It focuses on the evolution of cybersecurity from a reactive defense model to a predictive and resilient architecture, the integration of artificial intelligence into data protection systems, and the transformation of digital forensics in distributed and encrypted environments. It also examines the risks of expanding the attack surface due to the development of the Internet of Things and Industrial IoT, as well as the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure in the context of smart cities and smart energy systems. Based on an analysis of international and Kazakhstani cases, it demonstrates that cybersecurity is becoming not only a technological but also a strategic factor, impacting economic stability, state sovereignty, and public trust. It concludes that a comprehensive approach is needed that combines technological innovation, regulatory mechanisms, and principles of transparent governance of digital systems.