Digital transformation is neither a simple nor an easy path to follow. Narek shares his personal experience, the challenges he has overcome, and his journey in choosing a future profession. Since childhood, he had dreamed of becoming a police officer and helping people, but certain life circumstances did not allow him to pursue that path. There was only one thing he knew for sure—he wanted to create real value for the country through his work. Inspired by this goal, during his third year of university, he applied to the “Young Professionals Program” and began his journey at the Information Systems Agency of Armenia alongside his studies. When he joined the Agency’s team, the process of digitizing car sales had already started. Digitizing life events is a comprehensive program that requires a broad range of capabilities. By joining the “User Experience and Service Delivery” team, he began exploring all possible directions where he could contribute. His very first project required him to learn at a pace and intensity he was barely prepared for—from programming to project and stakeholder management. Narek admits that in the first few months, he found himself at the center of challenges. He had to learn very quickly, from frontend programming to teamwork and project management. Today, Narek has developed into a full-stack developer, able to participate in the creation of complete web services—from concept to launch. Yet, the most significant transformation was not only professional. This entire process was not just about programming. At first, he would resist being involved in processes beyond technical tasks, but he quickly realized that to achieve real change, he needed to learn across different areas and develop soft skills. “I had to improve in all directions. Technical knowledge alone was not enough. It was necessary to communicate effectively, collaborate closely, and manage processes…” he notes. Initially, he saw himself simply as a developer, but during the program, he realized he also wanted to engage in management. “It was necessary to manage processes and have command of the situation; otherwise, you wouldn’t succeed,” Narek emphasizes. He began to take an interest in engineering management, understanding that to have a real impact, one must see the full process, have a broad perspective, and develop diverse skills. Beyond day-to-day tasks, one must see the complete picture of processes. Recently, Narek was awarded by the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, Arpine Sargsyan, for his efforts aimed at cooperation, the implementation of digitalization reforms, and the improvement of public service accessibility.  The “Young Professionals Program” is not merely training. It is an opportunity to work on real projects, see the impact of your work, and shape your professional path through practical experience. If you are a student and still unsure about the exact profession you want to pursue, Narek’s story suggests that at ISAA, you can try, make mistakes, learn, make mistakes again, and ultimately find your path.

The MInistry of High-Tech Industry and Information Systems Agency of Armenia (ISAA) aiming at promoting digital transformation of the Republic of Armenia by implementing digital solutions and ensuring their widespread adoption, as well as to introduce modern and effective digital solutions aimed at improving the accessibility and quality of public services, are inviting for a pre-procurement market-sounding to assess possible solutions, technical approaches, and the overall market capacity related to establishing an artificial intelligence–based call and chat center. At this stage, no procurement procedure or tender has been launched. Attached, please find a draft technical specifications, which is provided solely for discussion purposes and for the collection of professional feedback. In this context, we invite you to submit your proposals and observations, in particular with regard to the following aspects: possible technical solutions and approaches; experience in the implementation of similar systems (if any); considerations related to technical feasibility; potential risks, constraints, and development opportunities for your participation in the tender; any other recommendations. Please note that this letter does not constitute a tender announcement, an invitation to submit a proposal, or any document creating legal or financial obligations. Any information provided will be used exclusively for internal analysis, refinement of requirements, and project preparation purposes and will not affect participation rights in any potential future procurement procedures.The conference will take place on January 30, from 17:00 to 19:00 (GMT+4). The conference will be held in a mixed format: participants may join both in person at the Ministry of High-Tech Industry (Yerevan 0010, Vasgen Sargsyan 3/3) and online. Prospective Service Providers are invited to register for the conference. To register for the conference and receive online access link, please follow the link. Please note that each representative of a prospective Service Provider must register separately to attend the conference. Both physical and online attendees should present their identity documents. Feel free to call 044 490626 in case you have any questions. We thank you in advance for your time and cooperation.

On November 15, Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan held a working meeting with representatives of the Information systems agency of Armenia. Arpine Sargsyan emphasized the importance of the joint work between the ministry and the agency and the effectiveness of actions aimed at common goals, noting that as a result, it was possible to synchronize all approaches in a balanced manner and find the right solutions. Acknowledging the positive dynamics of the reforms implemented in the digitalization process, the Minister noted that the feedback received from citizens testifies to the effectiveness of the innovative solutions in the registration-examination units. Minister Sargsyan particularly highlighted the process of introducing the biometric system and expressed confidence that it will be implemented within the planned timeframe, becoming one of the most important reforms carried out. The Minister of Internal Affairs expressed gratitude to the Director of the Information systems agency of Armenia, Nerses Yeritsyan, and the team for their close cooperation with the ministry. According to the Minister, digitalization is not about reducing staff positions but about the accessibility, availability, and new quality of public service delivery. A number of issues related to the field of digitalization were also discussed, the program directions to be introduced were addressed and defined, and the implementation timelines were clarified. At the conclusion, Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan, highly appreciating the cooperation, awarded representatives of the Information systems agency of Armenia.

After months of preparation, learning, and fierce competition, the Students’ National Cyberdrill has reached its peak — and Armenia’s first National Student Cyber Team is now officially formed! Please join us in congratulating the three top teams that have earned their place to represent Armenia in international student cybersecurity competitions. 1st Place — Team DedSec Հovhannes Avagyan (Team Lead) – National Polytechnic University of Armenia Maksim Petrosyan – American University of Armenia Adelina Zakharyan – Yerevan State University Artyom Yakovlev – National Polytechnic University of Armenia Jozef Harutyunyan – National Polytechnic University of Armenia 2nd Place — Team ByteForce Serzh Sargsyan (Team Lead) – National Polytechnic University of Armenia Sandro Hakobyan – Yerevan State University Erik Grigoryan – National Polytechnic University of Armenia Hasmik Kilimjyan – American University of Armenia Davit Ohanyan – National Polytechnic University of Armenia 3rd Place — Team DefTheme Milena Yesayan (Team Lead) – Armenian-Russian University Zorayr Siroyan – National Polytechnic University of Armenia Alen Mangasaryan – PicsArt Academy Davit Matiashvili – PicsArt Academy Stepan Khachatryan – University of Management Congratulations once again to all participants for their exceptional dedication and passion.

The Student National Cyberdrill is an initiative aimed at enhancing students’ cybersecurity capabilities and strengthening the country’s cyber resilience.Over the past five months, more than 200 students from Armenia’s leading universities and educational institutions competed to become members of Armenia’s National Student Cyber Team.This months-long competitive and intensive journey led 60 of the best students to the final stage of the cyberdrill. After 10 hours of challenging exercises, the 15 strongest participants were announced as winners. They will form Armenia’s National Student Cyber Team, which will represent the country at the European Cybersecurity Competition.The initiative is an integral part of the Information systems agency of Armenia’s mission to build a secure digital future for Armenia, a goal that can be achieved by equipping young people with the necessary knowledge and practical experience. The Students’ National Cyberdrill will be held annually, fostering a vibrant and fearless community of young Armenian cyber defenders. The Cyberdrill was implemented by the Information systems agency of Armenia in cooperation with the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia.

The National Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign has been launched in public schools across Armenia with the goal of raising cybersecurity awareness among students in grades 6–9, as well as teachers and parents. The campaign officially kicked off on October 31 at the COAF Smart Center, bringing together around 300 students, teachers, and parents from community schools in the Lori region. The initiative is implemented by the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, in cooperation with the Information systems agency of Armenia. Over the course of the campaign, more than 20 regional meetings will be held — some in public schools and others at COAF, TUMO, and Fab Lab educational centers. Each session will involve approximately 300 participants, with a total target of over 6,000 participants nationwide. Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan delivered a keynote address covering topics such as cybersecurity, data protection, artificial intelligence applications, deepfake technologies, and disinformation. The Minister emphasized that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility among students, parents, teachers, professionals, and the Government: “This campaign aims to foster a culture of cybersecurity among both students and adults. Our goal is to make cybersecurity not only a matter of technical knowledge, but also of mindset, responsible behavior, and critical thinking. This initiative will help our citizens become more informed, analytical, and responsible in the digital environment — empowering them to navigate today’s world safely and intelligently,” said Minister Hayrapetyan. The program combines interactive learning methods and real-life examples, making cybersecurity accessible, engaging, and immediately applicable for students. Participants will learn about the importance of cybersecurity in both the global and Armenian contexts, and each session will conclude with discussions on artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and the threat of disinformation. As part of the awareness campaign, informational materials developed by the Minister of High-Tech Industry and experts from AM-CERT will be presented. In addition, participants will take part in interactive discussions, puzzles, and educational games designed to promote critical thinking and responsible online behavior.

For the second time, Armenia is hosting the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) CyberDrill, which brings together representatives of government agencies, private sector companies, and local and international partners to jointly strengthen cyber capabilities. The event was opened by Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, who emphasized: “Implementing effective cybersecurity policies is becoming increasingly important, given the globally expanding and evolving cyber threats.This requires clear and targeted actions, which the Government is undertaking in cooperation with the private sector, industry experts, and international partners,” noted the Minister. Director of the Information systems agency of Armenia, Nerses Yeritsyan, highlighted that the purpose of the platform is to transform security policies into operational systems, standards, and capabilities — enabling Armenia to become safer and digital governance stronger. He noted that such exercises contribute to deepening systematic cooperation, exchanging experience, and developing rapid response capabilities. The initiative also promotes the establishment of a sustainable public-private partnership ecosystem. The ITU CyberDrill has become a platform for international cooperation, helping enhance the skills of specialists working in Armenia’s critical information infrastructures and fostering a culture of collective defense — where every institution and company contributes to strengthening national resilience. Resilience is built through cooperation. By working together, we are building not only secure systems but also a reliable future for our citizens and businesses.

In October, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit was held in Spain, bringing together over 2,000 high-level representatives from governments, civil society, and international organizations to exchange experiences and progress in implementing open government principles.Nerses Yeritsyan, Director of the Information systems agency of Armenia, participated in a panel discussion during the Summit.The discussion highlighted the strong interconnection between digitalization and artificial intelligence, noting that AI enables the creation of smarter digital services while requiring the widespread adoption of secure, responsible, and inclusive tools and frameworks.In his remarks, Mr. Yeritsyan addressed the emerging risks that accompany AI development, emphasizing the importance of proper governance and the implementation of adequate mechanisms.Armenia’s experience as a small and agile state was presented as an example of how continuous experimentation and rapid scaling can lead to swift digital transformation.