PILLAR OF NATIONAL SECURITY

The ongoing intensification of geopolitical tensions and the rise in cybercrime have brought the need to strengthen cybersecurity measures to the fore. This also applies to Azerbaijan. It is fortunate that the country has a strong cohort of information security specialists, who are responsible for detecting and blocking a significant proportion of malicious software. In this regard, reforms are being implemented to ensure comprehensive protection of the digital space, and specialised personnel are being trained.

Geopolitical risks

The situation with global cyberattacks on e-government systems and web resources of state agencies has become so serious in recent years that at the end of January 2025, the EU Council expanded sanctions under the mechanism to counter cyberattacks on state network infrastructure. The scale of this problem is critical. In advance of the World Economic Forum, which is to be held in Davos from January 19-23 this year, the annual Global Risks Report was published. Notably, for the first time, the negative consequences of using artificial intelligence and cybersecurity issues were included in the top ten most significant risks.

Azerbaijan also faces increased risks to critical infrastructure in government organisations and the corporate sector that have grown in recent years.

"Last year, our company was subjected to a highly organised and aggressive cyberattack. We are aware of the source of the issue and have taken the necessary measures to protect against these serious problems. Consequently, this area demands serious attention. We already have a functioning Cybersecurity Centre, and its work must always remain a focus," stated President Ilham Aliyev at a meeting on the New Digital Architecture of Azerbaijan dedicated to a unified action plan.

It should be noted that 2024 was also a challenging year in this regard. Experts from the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security of Azerbaijan recorded 1,070 cyberattacks on government institutions, of which 550 were detected and blocked. In the past, there have been several incidents of major concern. These include instances of unauthorised access to the databases of several state structures, as well as attacks on domestic internet resources and official websites. During the course of the investigation, specialists from the State Service identified several cybercriminal groups that had obtained personal data of Azerbaijani citizens and placed it on servers under their control.

The situation in this area saw some improvement last year. A total of 850 indicators of cyberattacks on government institutions were identified, representing a 21% decrease compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, there has been a notable increase in phishing attacks targeting the banking, corporate and private sectors recently. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, which have affected media web resources and websites, are observed almost every week. In the first half of last year alone, 262.92 million malicious redirects were blocked across the AzStateNet network.

This is not unexpected, given that cyber threats increase significantly in countries with high network traffic and a developed digital environment. In recent years, Azerbaijan has achieved a high level of broadband internet access, developed an extensive e-government system, and implemented large-scale projects to digitalise business processes and control in the manufacturing, energy, and transport sectors. An open banking system is being created, the digital capacity of payment systems is being improved, smart city mechanisms are being developed, the utilities sector is being digitalised, and the infrastructure for the Internet of Things, big data systems, and data centres is being progressively expanded. It is clear that this entire complex and extensive toolkit requires reliable protection against cyber threats.

Human capital

Speaking at the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Centre, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Samir Mammadov highlighted the substantial progress achieved in digital development in recent years. Digitalisation has been shown to increase the efficiency of public administration and create broad opportunities to enhance economic competitiveness. "Concurrently, the proliferation of information systems in conjunction with digitalisation has given rise to an escalation in cyber threats, risks of confidentiality breaches, and threats to information integrity," he observed. In this regard, the responsible approach of government bodies and the private sector to digital security for citizens, and ensuring cybersecurity as an integral component of digital development, are of particular importance.

In order to prevent cyber threats and develop effective network protection mechanisms, the "Information and Cybersecurity Strategy of Azerbaijan for 2023-2027" was approved by presidential decree on 28 August 2023. The document provides for strategic planning of activities in this area, including the training of highly qualified cybersecurity specialists. This commitment is further reinforced by the "Digital Development Concept" (January 16, 2025), which outlines key objectives such as safeguarding the digital information of the state, businesses, and citizens, enhancing the digital literacy of society, and empowering personnel with information and communication technologies.

"Last year, the work of the Coordination Commission on Information Security was reorganised, and within the framework of this commission, all tasks facing the country in the field of cybersecurity will soon be carried out comprehensively. In this regard, I would like to draw attention to two points. Firstly, the creation of sectoral SOCs (Cybersecurity Centres) is of the utmost importance. In order to proceed with this initiative, the establishment of a suitable legislative framework is imperative. At the same time, the creation of CERTs — electronic security teams — is important, and relevant provisions have already been included in the action plan," reported Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev at the New Digital Architecture of Azerbaijan meeting.

The Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Centre plays a vital role in shaping the national network security ecosystem. "Around 360 people have completed training at the centre in the red and blue team areas, that is, attack and defence, and 86% of them are already employed in the relevant field," emphasised Deputy Minister Mammadov. Furthermore, 120 people participated in professional development programmes in the public and private sectors. Training on cyber awareness was organised in 53 organisations, and more than 7,000 people improved their knowledge in the field of cyber hygiene.

In collaboration with higher and vocational education institutions, the Centre delivered lectures on seven disciplines at five higher education institutions across the country. The Centre also supported the development of five cybersecurity products and successfully implemented preparatory programmes for three international competitions.

As Shahin Aliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, has noted, the centre's developments are attracting significant attention abroad. For instance, there is significant demand for the Cypho cybersecurity product from Türkiye and several European countries. Furthermore, interest in the developments has also been noted in Central Asian and African countries. Furthermore, negotiations are currently ongoing with Kazakhstan and several other countries regarding the potential transfer of the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Centre's expertise and development experience.

The presence of foreign companies in our country provides valuable opportunities for local specialists to gain practical experience in a real working environment, developing essential professional skills and competencies. For instance, the Deputy Minister highlighted the partnerships with Andersen Lab and EPAM Systems, which play a crucial role in the training of professional personnel in our country. The Andersen Lab Centre, for instance, is based in the Technopark at the Azerbaijan Innovation Centre. To date, 210 individuals have participated in training programmes with this overseas company, with 125 currently pursuing further education.

Leap in the rankings

In Azerbaijan, the joint efforts of specialists from the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security and the "Computer Incidents Response Centre" operating within it have resulted in the establishment of a robust system for combating cybercrime and protecting web resources of state structures and other critical infrastructure from network threats. This includes protection through servers connected to a centralised antivirus system. In order to enhance the effectiveness of countermeasures, our country cooperates with relevant structures in Türkiye, Israel, the European Union, and the United States, involving exchanges of experience and methods for combating cybercrime. We are pleased to inform you that our collaboration with Israeli specialists is developing in a particularly promising manner. "This joint Azerbaijani-Israeli initiative demonstrates that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical field. It has transformed into a strategic pillar of national security, economic resilience, and technological development," stated Ronen Kraus, Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan, who participated in the event. "In addition to the establishment of robust cybersecurity infrastructure, the development of highly qualified human capital is a pivotal concern in today's global context. The training and deployment of numerous specialists in pivotal roles within public and private institutions represents a substantial accomplishment."

The effectiveness of these measures is evidenced by the fact that in the International Telecommunication Union's "Global Cybersecurity Index 2024," Azerbaijan scored 93.76 points out of a possible 100, confirming a high level of preparedness for cyber threats and the resilience of its digital environment. According to Shahin Aliyev, the ITU report shows that our country has risen 40 positions in the cybersecurity rankings in recent years, surpassing several leading world nations. "The main factors driving this rapid development include the adoption of a national strategy, strengthening human resources, and structural reforms in government institutions."

It is evident that the field of cybersecurity in Azerbaijan is evolving. Historically a technical domain, it is now being integrated into the country's economic policy framework. Data protection, financial system stability, and the uninterrupted operation of infrastructure all have a direct impact on the country's investment attractiveness and business confidence in the digital environment.

In effect, a new security paradigm is emerging, where the primary resource is not only software but also trained human capital. Azerbaijan's transformation of its digital space from a risk zone into a factor for sustainable development is enabled by a combination of institutional reforms, international cooperation, and local expertise.

BRIEF

Azerbaijan's competitive advantages in the field of AI discussed

Relevant documents for laying green energy cables were signed with foreign partners, and Azerbaijan will export part of the electricity.

This was stated by President Ilham Aliyev at a meeting dedicated to the unified action plan entitled New Digital Architecture of Azerbaijan.

However, according to the head of state, the creation of data centres also requires significant energy resources.

"As I mentioned regarding fibre-optic communications, these cables are laid alongside energy infrastructure. Currently, a project is underway to lay a fibre-optic cable that will connect us to the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, and I hope it will be completed this year. Thus, communications to the east will be ensured, and we must work on new connections towards the West," the President said.

Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev, in turn, noted that Azerbaijan has competitive advantages in the field of artificial intelligence.

"What are they? First and foremost, macroeconomic and political stability. This is one of the key factors for constructing data centres. Another important aspect is the country's energy potential, as the development of artificial intelligence today is directly linked to the availability of energy resources," he stated.

According to the minister, another advantage for Azerbaijan is that political relations with both regional states and leading world countries in this sphere are at the highest level. Another important aspect is the state's flexibility in decision-making. "Following our contacts during the visit to the United States, we concluded that constructing a data centre there takes approximately two to three years. However, the responsiveness inherent to our state will allow us to build such data centres in a significantly shorter period," he added.