Digitalization in Armenia to become widespread in several years - MP

YEREVAN, March 23. /ARKA/. Digitalization of various areas of activities in Armenia will become widespread in several years, Koryun Nahapetyan, head of the Armenian National Assembly’s national security and interior affairs committee, said Wednesday at a seminar focused on cyber security in Armenia.  

Stressing the importance of cyber security for strengthening out country’s security, he said information technologies are developing fast and new prospects are appearing for development of important infrastructures and expansion of this segment.  

At the same time, he pointed out that challenges and threats are growing along with IT development.  

He added that in several years Armenia will have a higher degree of digitalization of its economy, banking sector, administrative system, healthcare and other sectors.  

“Measures should already be taken now to secure our information systems, protect personal data and to gauge possible risks,” Nahapetyan said.

He stressed that in most cases cyber security measures in Armenia are fragmentary in nature.

“In these terms, we need common strategic approaches at the government’s level,” he said. “We can solve this problem by developing a cyber security strategy, laying a new legislative groundwork for that and creating an effective management system.”

UK Ambassador to Armenia Judith Farnworth, on her side, pointed out cyber security as one of the British government’s top priorities.  

She said that British finance ministry has allocated $3 billion to ensure cyber security to the country.

The ambassador also said referring to the British government’s recent statement that a national cyber security center will be opened in the United Kingdom in October 2016.

Farnworth stressed that all countries should be ready for hybrid conflicts, which spark not only on the battlefield, but also in cyber territories.

According to the Armenian economy ministry, the country's IT industry enjoyed a 17% growth in 2015.

There are some 450 IT companies in Armenia now. --0---