meta_id 3217485

On June 5, 2026, Armenia's Ministry of High-Tech Industry held a panel discussion titled "Cybersecurity as a National Priority" during the RISE Powered by Silicon Mountains 2026 conference. Gevorg Mantashyan, first deputy minister of high-tech industry, led discussions with government and private sector experts on current digital security challenges, legal framework development, and critical infrastructure resilience. The ministry outlined its cybersecurity initiatives, emphasizing the importance of reliable state digital infrastructure, secure identification systems, and data protection. Mantashyan highlighted that human capital development and clear regulatory standards are essential components for sector growth. The ministry is implementing educational and awareness programmes targeting schoolchildren and students, alongside hackathons to identify and develop qualified specialists. Mantashyan underscored the significance of the recently adopted Cybersecurity Law, noting that sector regulation had been discussed for many years. While future amendments and improvements are already under consideration, the current priority is ensuring adopted regulations are fully implemented and enforced. The ministry will assess implementation effectiveness before advancing to subsequent reform phases and introducing additional solutions. Regarding cloud technology adoption, Mantashyan emphasized ongoing collaboration with the private sector and professional communities. He stressed that technology selection and deployment must follow cost-effectiveness, security, and long-term sustainability principles. Mantashyan noted that cybersecurity is now a shared responsibility requiring close cooperation between the state, private sector, and professional communities to address contemporary threats.