Professional Day of Employees of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security
September 26 is observed in the Republic of Azerbaijan as the Professional Day of Employees of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security. The Professional Day of Employees of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security was established by an Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated September 24, 2024. This significant date reflects the high recognition accorded to the work of employees engaged in ensuring uninterrupted and secure communications for state bodies and safeguarding the security of strategic information systems.
In the modern era, information security has become one of the key components of national security. The resilience of public administration, the protection of critical infrastructure, the security of strategic information resources and the strengthening of cyber defence capabilities require a reliable communications system. In this regard, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SSSCIS) is one of the principal state institutions performing important strategic functions within the country’s security system.
The development of telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICT) in Azerbaijan is closely associated with the name of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. The Great Leader regarded the telecommunications sector as one of the key areas of public administration and national security and paid particular attention to its development in line with contemporary challenges. One of the principal tasks facing Azerbaijan after regaining its independence was to establish a reliable special communications system within the national security framework.
Following his return to political power in 1993, Heydar Aliyev, recognising the crucial role of special communications and information exchange in public administration, adopted important decisions aimed at organising this field on a modern basis. Under his leadership, secure communications lines were established between state bodies, a security infrastructure aligned with national interests was developed, and the legal framework governing the activities of the special communications service was established. At the same time, broad opportunities were created for the training of qualified national personnel and the introduction of new technologies. In Heydar Aliyev’s strategic vision, information security was identified as one of the fundamental pillars of safeguarding state independence.
One of the important steps towards the institutional development of the special communications system was taken on October 1, 1994. On that date, the Communications and Technical Division was established within the Logistics and Technical Support Department of the Main Directorate for the Protection of the Supreme State Authorities and Administrative Bodies of the Republic of Azerbaijan. In subsequent years, this entity continued its activities within the structure of the Special State Protection Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan as an independent division, directorate and department.
A new stage in the development of the special communications and information security system began with Decree No. 708 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated September 26, 2012. Pursuant to the Decree, the State Agency for Special Communications and Information Security was established within the Special State Protection Service. This decision established, for the first time, a unified mechanism for organising the operation and ensuring the security of the special-purpose information and telecommunications systems and networks of state bodies, their connections to the Internet, as well as the placement of information resources in data and resource centres.
Pursuant to Decree No. 957 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated March 16, 2020, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established as a separate state body on the basis of the State Agency for Special Communications and Information Security of the Special State Protection Service. Thus, the SSSCIS began operating as an independent state body with broader functional powers in ensuring the country’s special communications and information security system.
The SSSCIS ensures the organisation, operation, security and development of special-purpose information and communication systems and networks for state bodies, interagency electronic document exchange, the connection of state bodies to the Internet, and the hosting of information resources in data and resource centres. At the same time, carrying out special technical measures to ensure the security of state-protected and protected facilities, as well as implementing state policy relating to the introduction of electronic signature and radio communication systems, are among the principal areas of the Service’s activities.
Enhancing cybersecurity preparedness in state bodies, implementing preventive measures, monitoring the security parameters of Internet resources and information systems, and providing technical and methodological support to state institutions are among the principal tasks of the SSSCIS. As a result of the consistent measures implemented in recent years, significant progress has been made in strengthening information security systems, protecting state information resources and preventing cyberattacks.
The policy on special communications and information security initiated by National Leader Heydar Aliyev has entered a qualitatively new stage under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. As a result of President Ilham Aliyev’s policy aimed at building a digital economy and developing information and communication technologies, Azerbaijan has become one of the countries in the region to establish a modern telecommunications infrastructure. As a continuation of this policy, the SSSCIS has strengthened its position not only as an institution ensuring reliable communications between state bodies, but also as one of the leading institutions in implementing the country’s cybersecurity strategy.
Through presidential decrees and orders, the legal status and functional capabilities of the SSSCIS have been further strengthened, and significant measures have been taken to develop national encryption technologies, equip communications networks with modern equipment and enhance the resilience of the information environment. The “Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Information Security and Cybersecurity for 2023–2027”, adopted on the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, marked an important milestone in the country’s digital security policy. The Strategy identifies the protection of critical infrastructure, enhancement of the digital resilience of the public and private sectors, and strengthening of national capabilities to counter cyberattacks as priority areas. As one of the leading bodies responsible for implementing the Strategy, the SSSCIS ensures secure communications for state bodies and safeguards the integrity of the national information space.
In line with President Ilham Aliyev’s foreign policy course, the SSSCIS has also expanded its cooperation with international partners in the field of cybersecurity, making a significant contribution to Azerbaijan’s active participation in global cybersecurity processes.
Today, the employees of the SSSCIS fulfil an important mission within the country’s security system through their high level of professionalism, proficiency in modern technologies and continuously updated knowledge. Special communications specialists play a significant role not only in the capital but also in the regions by ensuring reliable communications for state bodies, safeguarding national information security and strengthening the resilience of the public administration system.
On the occasion of the Professional Day of Employees of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security, the staff of the Presidential Library extends its congratulations to all employees serving in this responsible and honourable field and wishes them continued success in their efforts to safeguard Azerbaijan’s information security and national interests.
Recommended literature:
- Əliyeva, Yaqut. İnformasiya təhlükəsizliyi və din /Y. Əliyeva ; dizayner R. Dadaşov ; Mənəvi Dəyərlərin Təbliği Fondu. - Bakı: TUNA, 2018. - 128 s.
- Qasımov, Vaqif Əlicavad oğlu. İnformasiya təhlükəsizliyi: kompüter cinayətkarlığı və kiberterrorçuluq /V. Qasımov ; elmi red. R. M. Əliquliyev. - Bakı: Elm, 2007. - 192 s.
- İnformasiya təhlükəsizliyi problemləri: məqalələrin xülasələri /AMEA, İnformasiya Texnologiyaları İn-tu ; elmi red. Y. İmamverdiyev. - Bakı: İnformasiya Texnologiyaları, 2022. - 186 s.