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On March 19, 2026, as part of her teaching internship, first-year Master's student Marat Zhanar of the “6M05105-Genetics” educational program conducted an open advisory lesson “Stepping into Safe Digital World“ for second-year students of”5B05105-Genetis” EP. This lesson was a timely response to the challenges of the modern digital age, in which cybersecurity and personal data protection are becoming increasingly important.

The relevance of this topic is driven by the rapid development of information and communications technologies, the digitalization of science and healthcare, and the high level of online engagement among young people. Digital security is particularly important in the context of genetics and biomedical research, where sensitive data is processed, including genomic information, DNA sequencing results, and personalized health profiles. A leak or unauthorized access to such data can lead not only to a breach of privacy, but also to discrimination and ethical and legal risks associated with the use of genetic information.

With the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, bioinformatics platforms, and cloud storage, the need for reliable data protection at all stages – from obtaining biological material to analyzing and storing results – is increasing. Genetic data is highly identifiable and practically impossible to fully anonymize, making it particularly vulnerable. Therefore, developing digital security competencies in future genetics specialists is becoming a necessary element of professional training.

The main goal of the lesson was to increase students' awareness of digital security principles and develop practical skills for protecting against potential internet threats. The lesson covered key aspects of online security, including methods for protecting personal information, creating strong passwords, using two-factor authentication, recognizing phishing attacks, and preventing online fraud. In addition, topics such as scientific data protection, the safe use of laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and ethical principles when working with genetic information were discussed.

Particular attention was paid to social media safety and cyberbullying prevention, as well as the digital reputation of future specialists. As part of the interactive lesson format, students actively participated in case discussions, analyzed real-life data breach scenarios, and modeled information security strategies. The discussion allowed them to assess their digital literacy and highlight the most vulnerable aspects of their online behavior.

The lesson concluded with all the stated objectives successfully achieved. The lesson significantly contributed to the development of students' digital literacy, fostering a responsible attitude toward the protection of personal and scientific data, and strengthening their professional competence in the context of the digital transformation of science. The event aligns with UN SDG 4 “Quality Education,” facilitating the training of qualified specialists capable of working effectively in a digital society and ensuring the security of biomedical information.

Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics

Supervisor of Pedagogical Internship:

c.b.s., Senior Lecturer Sh.M. Yrgynbaeva