Visiting Scholar from Armenia, Arman Grigoryan, Arrives at The Fletcher School

By Alex Avaneszadeh, Project Manager of the Fletcher Russia and Eurasia Program

Arman Grigoryan, a Fulbright Visiting Scholar, arrived in October 2023 from Armenia to begin his 10-month-long research endeavor at The Fletcher School. Grigoryan’s research focuses on cyber and information security, cyber policy, digitalization, and IT governance. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science (Automation Systems) from the National Polytechnic University of Armenia and is a graduate of the College of Information and Cyberspace at the U.S. National Defense University. He is an Associate Professor of Cyber Security and Information Security at the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, and for years has worked with the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia.

Motivated by the rapid development of information and communications technologies globally, Grigoryan’s research project, titled “Shaping a Cyber Nation: Developing a System of Public Administration Toward Providing Nation with Cyberweapons,” aims to create a system of Information and Technology Security, with the goal of developing and enhancing the cyber security infrastructure of Armenia and cyber literacy of the nation. Grigoryan is hosted by the Fletcher Russia and Eurasia Program and advised by Josephine Wolff, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity Policy and Director of the Hitachi Center for Technology and International Affairs.

“The existence of real war threats from bordering hostile countries, the communications targeting of Armenia, the political and information isolation carried out by the hostile states, the consequent reduction of the country’s international role, as well as the attempt to spread misinformation, are significant threats,” said Grigoryan.

Part of what stifles the development of a nation’s cyber security capabilities is a lack of resources and the complex nature of the cyber threat itself. Nevertheless, Grigoryan emphasizes that a holistic approach is needed to systematically ensure the cybersecurity of the country. 

He further contends that when a state has limited resources, it remains all the more important to understand that “cybersecurity is a team sport and requires joint efforts to address possible risks and ensure the proper level of security.” 

When looking at Armenia in particular, and taking into account the high level of uncertainty that exists in the cybersecurity sphere, Grigoryan added that “skillful risk and resource management via modern technologies become one of the vital tasks to provide the successful mobilization of a nation in the context of ensuring cyber security in Armenia.” The role of cybersecurity in the national security system overall has a significant impact on the political, economic, military, and other spheres of the state and society.