Ensuring Cybersecurity in the South Caucasus States: a Comparative Legal Analysis

Abstract

This article provides a comparative legal analysis of the approaches of the South Caucasus states — Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia — to ensuring cybersecurity. Research into cybersecurity in the South Caucasus is relevant due to a number of factors related to the geopolitical situation, technological development, the threat of cyberattacks, and the need to ensure digital stability in the region. This issue is particularly signifi cant in the context of increasing digitalization, the use of cyberspace for political and military purposes, and the competition between global and regional actors for infl uence in the region. The objective of this study is to analyze the legal mechanisms regulating cybersecurity in the three states and identify existing challenges in this area. The study examines key regulatory legal acts and strategic planning documents of Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia in the area of cybersecurity. Based on the analysis, common trends were identifi ed and conclusions were drawn about the diff erences in countries’ approaches to ensuring cybersecurity. Common problems in the region were identifi ed: a shortage of qualifi ed personnel; dependence on foreign technologies; gaps in legislation; data leaks; low levels of information literacy among the population; and duplication of authority between agencies.