On February 6, 2025, a roundtable discussion on "Cybersecurity in the Telecommunications Sector" was held, organized by the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Organizations Association (AKTA). The main objective of the meeting was to discuss the issues of ensuring cybersecurity in the telecommunications sector, identified as one of the critical information infrastructure areas, including existing capabilities, challenges, threats, and methods of combating them.
The multi-stakeholder meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Security Service, the State Service for Special Communication and Information Security, the Electronic Security Service under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transportation, the Information and Communication Technologies Agency, the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, the Media Development Agency, the Audiovisual Council, as well as relevant telecommunications providers and operators, and senior officials and representatives from companies that are members of AKTA.
During the roundtable discussion, the effectiveness and efficiency of activities carried out by telecommunications operators and providers to ensure cybersecurity in the telecommunications sector and combat existing cyber threats were debated. The meeting also addressed issues such as the application of existing regulatory mechanisms for ensuring the security of critical information infrastructure, the implementation of relevant strategies and action plans, mechanisms for combating hybrid threats, including cyber threats and disinformation, management of cyber incidents in the telecommunications sector, strengthening human resources, facilitating data exchange and cooperation, and raising awareness.
During the meeting, participants were introduced to the Cyber Threat Information Exchange Platform created by the National Cybersecurity Center of the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which is responsible for ensuring the security of critical information infrastructure and combating cyber threats.
The meeting contributed to the exchange of information and experiences among stakeholders, strengthening cooperation between them, and promoting the implementation of a unified approach. It also facilitated the discussion, prioritization, and effective management of existing cyber threats and risks, and provided the opportunity to develop more effective action plans. In light of this, it was suggested that similar sectoral meetings should be held regularly in the future.
