At TUMO Labs, the closing event of the first phase of the Cybersecurity Capacity Development Program took place, the purpose of which was to summarize the work carried out during 2024–2026. Opening remarks were delivered by the Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, Ruben Simonyan, the Director of the Information Systems Agency of Armenia, Nerses Yeritsyan, and the Head of TUMO Labs, Bella Vasilian. Remarks were also delivered by the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Armenia Lars Hennig, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Araksya Svajyan, TUMO’s Chief Development Officer Pegor Papazyan, Global Head of the “Partnership for Streghteing Cybersecurity” program Raphael Pfaucsch. In his speech, ISAA Director Nerses Yeritsyan emphasized that cybersecurity has become a pillar of national security and economic stability. According to him, alongside the country’s digitalization process, it is necessary to ensure the protection of the digital environment as well, by forming a reliable, collaborative ecosystem. He highlighted the importance of youth engagement, noting that the formation of a cybersecurity culture from an early age is a national priority. According to the Director, this approach contributes both to increasing digital literacy and to the formation of professional capacity at an international level. In this process, cooperation between the public, private, and educational sectors is key, and the program is an important platform for the formation of such cooperation. He also noted that aligning educational programs with market demands ensures the competitiveness of future specialists at the international level. As part of the event, a tour was organized at TUMO Labs, during which the cybersecurity self-learning program, the results of cyber sprints, and the project-based learning model were presented. This initiative is carried out in cooperation with the Information Systems Agency of Armenia (ISAA), co-financed by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and ISAA, and supported by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) within the framework of the “Partnership for Strengthening Cybersecurity” program. The Information Systems Agency of Armenia leads Armenia’s digital transformation by forming a trust-based e-society and e-economy.

Վերջին օրերին նկատվում է հեռախոսային խարդախությունների ակտիվացում։ Խաբեբաները զանգահարում են տեղական կամ արտասահմանյան հեռախոսահամարներից կամ ուղարկում են WhatsApp, Telegram և Viber հավելվածներով հաղորդագրություններ: Ներկայանալով որպես բանկի, տելեկոմ օպերատորի, առաքման ծառայության կամ պետական մարմնի աշխատակից, նրանք նպատակ ունեն հասանելիություն ստանալ Ձեր անձնական տվյալներին և հեռախոսի հավելվածներին, որպեսզի Ձեր կամքից անկախ կորզեն ֆինանսական միջոցներ: Օրինակ, նրանք ուղղորդում են՝ ❗փոխանցել կամ թելադրել SMS-ով ստացված ծառայության ակտիվացման կոդը, ❗սեղմել SMS-ով ստացված հղումը և լրացնել բանկային քարտի կամ անձնական տվյալները, ❗տեղադրել հեռախոսում հատուկ ծրագիր, օրինակ՝ 5G ծառայություն ակտիվացնելու համար կամ այլ ծառայությունից անվճար օգտվելու նկատակով: Եթե հետևեք այդ հրահանգներին, խաբեբաները կարող են՝ ▪️հափշտակել Ձեր ֆինանսական միջոցները, ▪️մուտք գործել Ձեր բանկային հավելվածներ և կատարել ցանկացած գործողություններ, ▪️հաղորդագրություններ ուղարկել Ձեր մտերիմներին, ▪️հափշտակել Ձեր հաղորդագրությունները, ▪️Ձեր փոխարեն կառավարել Ձեր հեռախոսը։ ⛔Այս ամենը կարող է տեղի ունենալ ակնթարթային։ Ի՞նչ անել․ 🔷մի՛ պատասխանեք անծանոթ համարներից եկող զանգերին, հատկապես եթե զանգը արտերկրից է,🔷մի՛ սեղմեք անծանոթ SMS հաղորդագրությունների հղումների վրա, 🔷անմիջապես անջատե՛ք զանգը եթե Ձեզ խնդրում են տվյալներ տրամադրել, հղում բացել կամ որևէ գործողություն կատարել, 🔷մի՛ փոխանցեք Ձեր անձնական տվյալները, գաղտնաբառերը կամ բանկային կոդերը հեռախոսի միջոցով: 🛡️Հայաստանի տեղեկատվական համակարգերի գործակալություն🛡️Հայաստանի համակարգչային միջադեպերի արձագանքման թիմ (AM-CERT)

On March 5, the reputable magazine Forbes published an article by the Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, titled “Cybersecurity as a Catalyst for Digital Trust in Emerging Tech Hubs.” In the article, the Minister addressed Armenia’s efforts aimed at forming a comprehensive national cybersecurity architecture by combining legislation, the institutional system, and digital infrastructures, which are intended to strengthen digital trust and promote the development of innovation. The full article is available at: https://shorturl.at/ohttO 

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.

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.

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.

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.