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 

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.

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.

As part of the cybersecurity capacity-building program implemented in cooperation with TUMO Labs, the second Cybersecurity Sprint took place, during which 40 young participants, organized into 10 teams, presented innovative projects in the field of cybersecurity, ranging from tools for detecting data leaks to anti-phishing solutions, educational programs, and more.The winning teams of the sprint were CyberStorm and Crazy Hackers. Congratulations on this important first victory! We are confident this marks just the beginning of your journey in the world of cybersecurity. The Cybersecurity Sprint is only one component of a broader, multi-layered initiative developed jointly with TUMO Labs. The jointly designed cybersecurity education program is an innovative, unique, and practice-oriented model built on four core components: Project-based learning Cybersecurity sprints Cybersecurity bootcamp for “42” school students Cybersecurity self-learning program The Agency remains committed to introducing a cybersecurity education and career pathway that aligns with international standards, with the vision of building a robust ecosystem of top-tier cybersecurity professionals in the country.

The Doing Digital Forum 2025, a premier event focused on digital finance and innovative technologies, was held in Yerevan, bringing together experts, government representatives, and industry leaders. This year’s forum, titled "Future of Money: Economic Impact," attracted professionals from both local and international spheres to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of digital finance. Mr. Shant Kassardjian, Cybersecurity Director at the Information Systems Agency of Armenia (ISAA), delivered a keynote speech highlighting the pivotal role of cybersecurity in shaping the future of digital money. His presentation underscored the importance of cybersecurity resilience in building secure and trustworthy digital financial systems, both in Armenia and globally. Mr. Kassardjian showcased Armenia’s expanding presence in the global digital finance ecosystem, pointing to the country’s progress in cybersecurity investments, regulatory frameworks, and fintech innovation. As digital currencies reshape the global financial system, he emphasized the need for Armenia to ensure its financial infrastructure remains secure and resilient. In his remarks, Mr. Kassardjian noted, “By embedding security into the foundation of digital finance, we can foster innovation while mitigating risks.” Mr. Kassardjian emphasized that resilience is not solely a technical matter, it demands a forward-thinking mindset to anticipate and respond to emerging threats. He encouraged participants to view cybersecurity not merely as a protective layer, but as a strategic enabler for sustainable business success. The forum served as a dynamic platform for international experts to engage in real-time dialogue, share insights, and collaborate on building a secure and inclusive digital financial ecosystem for the future.

The health sector plays a fundamental role in addressing the needs and demands of society. Given the importance of sensitive personal data stored in health information systems, ensuring their security and protecting them from cyber threats is a critical priority. The Information Systems Agency of Armenia plays a key role in these efforts by conducting training sessions and exercises to ensure that experts in critical sectors are prepared to prevent, respond to, and mitigate cyber risks. To protect these infrastructures and ensure the continuous delivery of health services, the Agency organized a cyber exercise for experts in the health sector. The goal of the cyber drill was to enhance the health sector's readiness in tackling cyber threats by introducing current challenges and possible preventive measures, as well as strengthening their practical skills in a simulated cyber environment. The two-day drill, organized in collaboration with experts from a leading international cyber defense platform, saw participation from professionals across 17 health authorities. The Agency's conduct of such cyber drills will be ongoing, playing a crucial role in strengthening the cybersecurity of critical information infrastructure.

Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting participants of the first CyberTech Sprint at the Information Systems Agency of Armenia. Our Cybersecurity team provided an overview of the Agency’s ongoing projects and initiatives, and discussed career opportunities within the cybersecurity sector.   Nerses Yeritsyan, the CEO of ISAA, addressed the participants, highlighting the importance of innovation and science in the country’s development. He encouraged them to set ambitious goals and embrace challenges. Participants also shared their ideas and upcoming projects that they plan to implement within the sprint framework. We strongly believe that this collaboration will foster the implementation of innovative, creative, and ambitious ideas in the fields of cybersecurity and technology. This initiative is being implemented in collaboration with TUMO Labs, co-financed by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and ISAA, with the support of the German International Cooperation (GIZ) as part of the "Cooperation for Strengthening Cybersecurity" program.

On February 6, the Information Systems Agency of Armenia participated in the #Hackշաբթի cybersecurity event, organized by CyHub Armenia - EIF Cybersecurity Initiative. The event centered around key topics in the cybersecurity field, including the growing demand for skilled professionals and career development opportunities. 

On December 20-21, the annual cybersecurity competition "Humans vs AI Capture the Flag 2024" was held in Engineering City. The event was organized by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation with the support of the Information Systems Agency of Armenia (Agency).   The competition aimed to advance cybersecurity development in Armenia by enhancing skills and fostering modern solutions within a collaborative environment.   Over 24 hours, participants analyzed vulnerabilities related to artificial intelligence across various scenarios, identified malicious programs, and solved real-world challenges.   As part of its commitment to fostering an active cybersecurity community, the Agency values events like this, which empower both emerging talents and experienced professionals to tackle real cybersecurity challenges and address critical concerns in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Yerevan, Armenia – December 5-6, 2024 – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Information Systems Agency of Armenia (ISAA), with support from the Central Bank of Armenia and the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, successfully organized the first national CyberDrill for Armenia. The event, held in Yerevan, brought together over 200 professionals from government, academia, and critical infrastructure sectors to strengthen the country's cybersecurity capabilities and foster cross-sectoral collaboration. The primary goal of the CyberDrill is to enhance the communication and incident response capabilities of various stakeholders, including government bodies, regulators, telecommunication operators, financial institutions and utilities. By engaging a wide range of participants, the event aimed to foster a coordinated response to the growing threats in cybersecurity and ensure the resilience of Armenia’s critical infrastructure. The first day of the event featured in-depth discussions on the evolving cybersecurity landscape, both globally and regionally, with a focus on Armenia’s specific context. Experts explored the latest trends in cybersecurity, challenges, and the role of emerging technologies. Key discussions centered on building a secure and resilient digital future through multi-stakeholder collaboration, innovative approaches, and effective policy frameworks. Topics included legal measures, technical advancements, organizational structures, capacity-building initiatives, and regional cooperation efforts. A key feature of the day was a series of tabletop exercises designed for the financial and telecom industries. These interactive sessions allowed participants to engage in scenario-based discussions, simulating emergency responses and exploring how various organizational teams can work together during a crisis to review roles, procedures, and responses in real time. On the second day, the focus shifted to hands-on technical training for critical infrastructure operators. Participants took part in structured exercises based on simulated cyber threats, including emerging forms of cyberattacks. These simulations offered valuable insights into understanding, preventing and responding to cyber risks, providing participants with the tools and knowledge to enhance their preparedness and resilience. The exercises were designed to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and promote the exchange of expertise and information among participants. In his speech, Director of the Information Systems Agency, Nerses Yeritsyan, specifically stated: “The first national CyberDrill not only facilitated a deeper understanding of current cybersecurity threats but also provided a platform for ongoing collaboration and capacity building among Armenia's key cybersecurity stakeholders. Through this event, Armenia has further solidified its commitment to developing a robust cybersecurity framework that can protect its critical infrastructure and ensure the safety and security of its digital environment”.

We are excited to announce that the Information Systems Agency of Armenia has started a collaboration with the internationally renowned "Have I Been Pwned" project. "Have I Been Pwned" is a leading cybersecurity platform that tracks and collects data on online breaches. Its extensive database includes information from over 14 billion compromised accounts. Through this partnership, the system will alert the Agency to any leaks involving state domains, allowing the team to swiftly initiate the cyber incident response process. It will help reduce the risk of data loss, financial loss, operational disruption, and damage to reputation. The automated notification system ensures continuous monitoring of critical infrastructure for leaks, enhancing resilience against cyberattacks and strengthening the security of both Armenia's public and private sector infrastructure. This initiative partners with governments from 37 countries, including the US, Canada, Denmark, Germany, and more, to provide comprehensive monitoring support.