Government Approves the Package of Draft Laws Submitted by the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, Including the Draft Law \"On Cybersecurity\"

At the RA Government’s session dated August 14, the package of draft laws “On Cybersecurity,” “On Public Information,” and “On the Information Systems Regulatory Authority,” submitted by the RA Ministry of High-Tech Industry, was approved. The package was developed jointly with the Information Systems Agency of Armenia.

Presenting the package of draft laws, the High-Tech Minister, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, emphasized that the package aims to develop a unified and coordinated approach to preventing, responding to, and eliminating the consequences of cyber incidents, based on close cooperation between the state and the private sector. The package also addresses issues related to the creation of a unified digital environment and the introduction of an open data policy.

It was noted that the package underwent a long and complex process of debates, involving representatives of civil society, sectoral associations, independent experts, international partners, and relevant state agencies.

Minister Hayrapetyan, referring to the laws presented in the draft package, outlined the scope of regulation, purpose, and significance of each.

“The Law ‘On Cybersecurity’ defines vital sectors and critical infrastructures in both the state and private sectors. Criteria are established based on risk and impact assessment, as well as specific standards that are mandatory for state bodies, the public sector, and private companies operating civil infrastructure,” the Minister noted, emphasizing that this does not exclude the development and adoption of national standards in the future.

In his speech, the Minister also announced that a Regulatory Authority for Information Systems will be established. It will operate as an autonomous body, and its members will be elected by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.

Referring to the Law “On Public Information,” the Minister noted that it outlines the state digital architecture and introduces a new data management policy.

Nerses Yeritsyan, Director of the Information Systems Agency of Armenia, also provided further clarifications on the projects.
Summing up his remarks, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan emphasized the importance of implementing programs aimed at increasing cyber literacy among the general public.