This week, 60 cybersecurity experts gathered in Yerevan for the AM-EE Cyber Shield exercise to strengthen collaboration in responding to cyber threats. Margus Tsahkna, the Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, was among those in attendance.
The exercise was funded by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and organised by the e-Governance Academy (eGA), the Information Systems Agency of Armenia (ISAA) and CybExer Technologies. Supporting Armenia’s cybersecurity is an important part of Estonian-Armenian cooperation, as cybersecurity is critical to national sovereignty.
“States rely on digital data and being able to defend their systems is crucial for a country’s ability to exist independently. As cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated, the need for strong preparation and close cooperation continues to grow. Estonia stands ready to share its experience and expertise in support of cybersecurity development in Armenia, as demonstrated by this exercise,” said Andres Ääremaa, ESTDEV’s programme manager for Cybersecurity and e-Governance.
The exercise focused on strengthening the practical cyber capabilities of government institutions and critical service providers, including the telecommunications and banking sectors. It aimed to enhance participants’ ability to protect both IT and operational technology (OT) systems, while improving inter-agency coordination during cyber incidents.
“Cyber exercises remain one of the most effective ways to build operational readiness and ensure that essential services can respond to evolving cyber threats,” said Mari Tomingas-Sibul, the acting head of eGA’s Cybersecurity Competence Centre.
Participants were able to participate in a dynamic, hands-on learning environment and worked on threat hunting, communication and teamwork under pressure. Through live simulations, they improved coordination and incident response and gained deeper insight into effective collaboration during crisis situations.
“Cyber exercises help us understand how we work together during real incidents. They improve coordination between institutions, strengthen our technical response, and build trust for quick and effective cooperation. For ISAA, these exercises are a practical way to turn lessons into action and make Armenia’s digital space safer and more resilient,” said Nerses Yeritsyan from the Information Systems Agency of Armenia.
Armenia has clearly expressed its desire to move closer to the European Union politically and economically. Estonia has supported Armenia since 2001, and starting in 2024, Armenia will once again be among Estonia’s priority countries for development cooperation. Over the course of more than 20 years, Estonia has implemented over 70 development cooperation projects in Armenia.
Estonia’s priority areas for development cooperation in Armenia are education, democracy and the rule of law, and support for business development, export and innovation.