A/77/92 The following initiatives are planned to be undertaken in the framework of the digitalization strategy of Armenia for the period 2021–2025: (a) Carry out legislative and normative-legal amendments in the field of information security; (b) Elaborate a public open data policy concept; (c) Implement cybersecurity training for the residents of border villages (currently, cyber security courses are conducted for State employees); (d) Establish a national cybersecurity centre. In particular, th e possibility of the introduction of cybersecurity criteria, the creation of State rapid response groups and the implementation of public awareness activities aimed at raising cyberliteracy are being considered. The Ministry of High-Tech Industry plans to elaborate a comprehensive policy and action plan for overcoming the challenges in the field of cybersecurity, which will include the process for the creation of the cybersecurity centre and the formation of risk management and rapid response mechanisms during natural disasters, emergencies and martial law․ The Ministry stresses the importance of close cooperation with the private sector, inter-agency cooperation, localization of the international experience and the observation of international cybersecurity standards, inter-State cooperation and membership in international security structures. Armenia is developing policies and capabilities in the area of cybersecurity with international and regional organizations, including through the participation of relevant Armenian institutions in various thematic sem inars, conferences and training. The Republic of Armenia is a party to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. More recently, Armenia has initiated a national procedure for signing the Second Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Conventio n on Cybercrime on Enhanced Cooperation and Disclosure of Electronic Evidence. Armenia is actively involved in the efforts of the Open -ended Working Group on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security. The Working Group is uniquely designed to shape the basis for new standards in the field of information and communications technology (ICT). The ongoing cooperation within the Council of Europe ’s CyberEast project is aimed at building capacity for the experts of Armenian government institutions in countering threats of cybercrime. Armenia also values the continuous efforts being undertaken in the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s confidence -building measures in the field of ICTs, which help to build transparency, predictability and stability in that field. At the same time, cooperation with supranational companies is noteworthy. Armenia hosts leading information technology companies, such as Synopsys, Mento r Graphics, National Instruments, Microsoft, VMware, D-Link, Oracle, Cisco and others. Microsoft and Cisco regularly provide cooperation or attend forums to support the Government of Armenia with the latest developments on cybersecurity and defence. 22-08761 3/34

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