Deputy minister: Cybersecurity now key pillar of Azerbaijan’s national security

Protecting Azerbaijan’s information space from modern threats has become one of the country’s main national security priorities, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Samir Mammadov said during the fifth graduation ceremony at the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Center, established in partnership with Israel’s Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Report informs.

According to Mammadov, the rapid pace of digitalization has led to an increase in cyber threats and the emergence of new, more sophisticated cybercrimes.

“Like the rest of the world, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly critical for Azerbaijan. Globally, the damage caused by cybercrime to governments, economies, and societies is already measured in trillions of dollars. For example, according to Statista, the economic cost of cybercrime is expected to reach $10 trillion by 2025 and $16 trillion by 2029,” he noted.

He emphasized that cybercriminals can target both the public and private sectors, meaning no institution is fully immune. “This is why it is crucial for companies, government agencies, and especially critical infrastructure organizations to have skilled cybersecurity personnel, licensed software, and antivirus systems,” he added.

Mammadov also stressed that Azerbaijan is not immune to cyber threats: “That is why a comprehensive and strategic approach to cybersecurity has been adopted at the highest level of government.”