BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 26. The activities taking place in the world generate tasks for Azerbaijan, such as responding to current issues and accomplishing new economic growth goals, chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (KOBİA) of Azerbaijan, Orkhan Mammadov said, Trend reports.
He spoke at the Critical Infrastructure Defense Challenge 2023 event in Baku.
Mammadov noted that in the current situation, Azerbaijan has all opportunities for digitalization of economy, building digital economy and sustainable development.
"Digitalization of the economy, developing a digital economy, and introducing innovations are among the goals for Azerbaijan and other countries with rapid development. Our country's unique geographical location, natural riches, and valuable human resources, as well as recent governmental programs, orders, and decrees issued by President Ilham Aliyev, fully permit this," he said.
He underlined that living in a virtual environment as a result of digitization necessitates data protection. With the benefits that technology provides, individuals and businesses are attempting to defend themselves from internal and foreign threats. Cybersecurity professionals, on the other hand, are required to defend against these threats and keep data secure.
According to Orkhan Mammadov, one of the things that directly affect the development of the business environment is the construction of an educated, literate workforce. KOBA is interested in enhancing the human resource potential of SMEs by obtaining knowledge and skills that fit modern criteria, as well as in training young people to be labor market ready.
Employees in the field of information and communication technologies and cyber security should understand the fundamental principles of information security, choose strong passwords, pay attention to emails and attachments sent and received, and ensure safe storage of data backups on other resources.
Entrepreneurs operating in the fields of innovation, such as information and communication technologies and cybersecurity, can receive KOBIA startup certificates. According to the Azerbaijan Tax Code, micro and small business organizations that have earned a startup certificate are free from profit tax and income tax on their income from innovation activities for a period of three years from the date of certificate issuance.
"At the same time, entrepreneurs working in this field can also participate in grant competitions organized by KOBIA to fund educational, scientific, research and support projects. Announcements about the competitions and information about their results are regularly posted on the official website of KOBİA, at the same time the public is informed through the media. For information, I would like to mention that the Association of Cyber Security Organizations of Azerbaijan is also represented in the Public Council under KOBİA," he said.
The chairman also noted that KOBİA is interested in digitization of SMEs in Azerbaijan, in training of professional specialists in the field of information and communication technologies and cyber security, as well as in increasing the number of training and education centers in this field.
"I would like to once again express readiness to provide support within our competence in this direction," Mammadov added.
Critical Infrastructure Defense Challenge 2023 (Cidc-2023) is being held today at the Baku Congress Center jointly organized by the State Service for Special Communication and Information Security and the State Security Service of Azerbaijan.