Institute of Information Technology launches joint initiatives with Japan’s JPCERT/CC

The Institute of Information Technology of the Ministry of Science and Education hosted a meeting with a delegation from the Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center (JPCERT/CC). The delegation consisted of Koichiro Komiyama, Director of the Global Coordination Division of the Center, and Shihono Yonezawa, a cyber threats analyst of the same division.

The institute told AZERTAC that during the meeting, Vice-President of ANAS and Director General of the Institute, Academician Rasim Alguliyev, emphasized that a consistent and systematic state policy is being implemented in Azerbaijan in the field of cybersecurity and that information security has been defined as one of the key components of national security. In this context, he highlighted the importance of the “Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Information Security and Cybersecurity for 2023–2027," adopted by President Ilham Aliyev.

Emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in combating cyber threats, the Director General of the Institute highlighted the significance of the meeting held at the Institute of Information Technology with representatives of the Japan Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Center. The academician noted that such meetings play an important role in studying international experience and expanding opportunities for joint activities in the field of cybersecurity.

Academician Rasim Alguliyev emphasized that for more than 30 years the Institute of Information Technology has been conducting research on current scientific and practical issues in cybersecurity while also providing training for highly qualified specialists in this field. The academician spoke about the research carried out at the institute in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, software engineering, natural language processing, cyber-physical systems, digital government, digital medicine, cybersecurity, deep learning, the Internet of Things, and big data analytics. He also noted that the institute plans to organize conferences dedicated to ensuring the state’s cyber sovereignty, as well as to current scientific and practical issues related to digital forensics and software engineering.

The vice president of ANAS noted that Azerbaijan’s first Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT)—"AzScienceCERT"—was established at the Institute of Information Technology. He emphasized that the “AzScienceNet” network’s admission to the GÉANT Association in 2015 as an operator of national research and education networks made a significant contribution to the institutional and technological development of AzScienceCERT.

The academician expressed confidence that cooperation between the two institutions would make a significant contribution to strengthening the national cybersecurity ecosystem, ensuring the resilience of the country’s digital infrastructure, and facilitating the adoption of advanced cybersecurity practices.

During the meeting, discussions focused on establishing bilateral cooperation with JPCERT/CC, implementing joint initiatives in the field of cybersecurity, facilitating the exchange of personnel and expertise, and organizing joint conferences.