Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Center Celebrates Third Graduation Day
The Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Center (ACC), established through a collaboration between the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the Agency for Innovation and Digital Development, and Israel’s Technion Institute of Technology, held its third “Day of the Graduate” event on July 30.
Sixty graduates, selected from over 2,000 applicants last November, successfully completed the ACC’s rigorous training program. The cohort ranges in age from 17 to over 40 years old. During their training, participants were divided into defense (Blue Team) and attack (Red Team) groups, receiving instruction from international experts on cutting-edge cybersecurity strategies, technologies, and innovations.
On Graduation Day, the graduates showcased their projects and ideas in cybersecurity. Each of the 60 graduates will receive a certificate of completion from the event’s distinguished guests.
Since its inception, the ACC has graduated 120 students, with 72% securing employment in both the private and public sectors. The center’s Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Samir Mammadov, highlighted the increasing digitalization in Azerbaijan and the accompanying rise in cyber threats.
“Recognizing the growing cyber threats, we, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the Agency for Innovation and Digital Development, and Technion, with support from PASHA Holding Group, established the Azerbaijani Cybersecurity Center in 2022,” Mammadov said. “To date, 180 students have graduated, with 72% employed across various sectors. The ACC is also training 15 coaches and has developed new domestic cybersecurity products. One notable product, ‘Cypho,’ created with involvement from ACC students, is now operating successfully as an Azerbaijani startup both locally and internationally.”
Mammadov also noted that graduates from previous cohorts are now employed at major companies and serve as specialists and mentors at the ACC. The center has already begun training the next group of 60 students.
Azerbaijan occupies the 50th position in the National Cybersecurity Index, having shifted from 81st place.