Armenia strengthens cybersecurity through joint “AM–EE Cyber Shield” exercise

To strengthen collaboration and teamwork in responding to cyber threats, 60 cybersecurity experts gathered on 9–10 April in Yerevan, Armenia, for the AM–EE Cyber Shield cybersecurity exercise.

The exercise focused on developing participants’ hands-on cybersecurity skills through a realistic simulation of cyberattacks, while supporting the Information Systems Agency of Armenia (ISAA) efforts to advance national cybersecurity capabilities.

Supported by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and jointly organised by the e-Governance Academy (eGA), the Information Systems Agency of Armenia (ISAA), and CybExer Technologies, the exercise highlights the deepening cooperation between Estonia and Armenia following the opening of the Estonian Embassy in Yerevan.

The event was also attended by Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, together with his delegation, as well as representatives of the Government of Armenia. In particular, the Deputy Minister at High-Tech Industry Ministry, Ruben Simonyan; Deputy Governor at the Central Bank of Armenia, Armen Nurbekyan, Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister, Ani Babayan, and Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Vahan Kostanyan.

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.

“Cybersecurity today is about 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 preparedness 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, Programme Manager for Cybersecurity and e-Governance at ESTDEV.

Participants engaged in a dynamic, hands-on learning environment, practising 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 show how institutions and systems perform together under pressure. They strengthen coordination, improve technical readiness, and build the trust required for a fast and executive response. Our cooperation with Estonian partners adds significant value, bringing practical experience and supporting the development of a more resilient and secure digital environment. For ISAA, this is part of a broader effort to ensure a well-coordinated and sustainable digital ecosystem in Armenia,” said Nerses Yeritsyan, Director of the Information Systems Agency of Armenia.

CybExer Technologies and eGA have a strong track record of jointly designing and delivering advanced cybersecurity exercises for government institutions in Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans.

“Cyber exercises remain one of the most effective ways to build operational readiness and ensure that essential services can respond to evolving cyber threats. Building on more than a decade of collaboration with Armenian government institutions across 15 projects since 2012, we are pleased to continue our partnership with ISAA to strengthen cybersecurity resilience and advance a more secure digital future,” said Mari Tomingas-Sibul, Acting Head of the Cybersecurity Competence Centre at eGA.

Information Systems Agency of Armenia (ISAA) is the government entity responsible for coordinating the development of Armenia’s digital infrastructure, ensuring interoperability of state systems, and strengthening cybersecurity and data governance to support a secure, resilient, and data-driven digital society and economy. Read more: isaa.am

The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) is a state foundation established by the Government of Estonia to organise and coordinate Estonia’s participation in international development cooperation projects to increase Estonia’s contribution to global security and sustainable development. Read more: estdev.ee

e-Governance Academy is an Estonian centre of excellence to increase the prosperity and openness of societies through digital transformation. Over more than 20 years, eGA has collaborated with more than 300 organisations from 147 countries, supporting more efficient use of information and communication technologies in governance and democratic processes. Read more: ega.ee

CybExer Technologies is a NATO-awarded cybersecurity company that offers advanced cyber ranges for highly realistic live-fire exercises to improve prevention and response strategies. These solutions enable organisations to achieve cyber excellence by honing their skills in a simulated, risk-free setting. Read more: cybexer.com