The increase of cyber operations in recent years is noticeable, as they are increasingly being used for illegal activities and pose a significant threat to national security. This issue was discussed during a meeting of the Armenian Parliament’s Committee on Defense and Security, chaired by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Arpine Sarkisian.

According to NEWS.am, the government is proposing amendments and changes in the Criminal and Administrative Codes, as well as other laws related to cyber operations. It is noted that the main problem in combating cyber operations is the difficulty in identifying their origin. “In the territory of the country, there is a lack of awareness of the fact that cyber operations are performed on the internet or through the use of the internet,” said the spokesperson.

It is also proposed to establish a specialized center to regulate cyber operations that will allow for effective cooperation between law enforcement and security agencies. The center will be responsible for classifying the list of cyber operations, which will enable controlled and regulated cyber operations in a legal and technical manner. This initiative requires international obligations in order to comply with international norms. These obligations include the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.

The next change will affect judicial systems. According to Arpine Sarkisian, electronic devices and tools used for encryption must be made available for judicial and legal supervision. Their use should be subject to court permission and should not be secret from the public. In this regard, the spokesperson emphasized that our legislation does not regulate the exchange of these data. Therefore, it is proposed to include provisions in the Criminal Code that will allow for the exchange of such data for the sake of judicial and legal supervision.

The interpretation of cryptographic elements is subject to discussion. The spokesperson noted that the benefits received from the use of encrypted data in illegal operations amount to $5 million, and as of 2023, 249 cases involving the use of encrypted data are registered. The use of cryptographic elements should be carried out in an undercover manner, using other assets or financial systems, and it is not possible to investigate them using traditional methods. According to Arpine Sarkisian, this does not imply the exclusion of the exchange of these currencies in our country.

In conclusion, Lily Minasyan, an expert in cryptocurrency regulation, discussed the challenges and risks associated with the use of cryptocurrencies. She stated that the use of cryptocurrencies for illegal activities cannot be fully prevented using traditional methods or by banning the use of cryptocurrencies themselves. She suggested exploring and discussing the problems from different perspectives to find effective solutions.

The Committee on National and Legal Affairs has requested an official response to the questions raised during the first and second rounds of discussions on this issue.