Andrey Krichevsky: “In the near future, conflicts will also be digitally expressed”

At the end of November last year, at the G20 summit in Argentina, leading world leaders urgently discussed cybersecurity issues. Prior to this meeting, the Paris Peace Forum was held. It was dedicated to international cooperation in the field of Internet security and cybersecurity. Due to certain reservations, Russia did not join the Paris Memorandum together with the United States and China. Nevertheless, the document was signed by three Russian companies: Kaspersky Lab, Group-IB, and IPChain Association.

Andrey Krichevsky, president of IPChain Association, head of the Confederation of Rightholders’ Societies of Europe and Asia, noted in the interview with Aravot.am, that the memorandum adopted in Paris was an absolutely spontaneous initiative: “Some aspects of the document actually forced a number of leading countries to react with a reservation and not immediately join the memorandum. Currently, the mentioned aspects are being adjusted accordingly. In my opinion, after some clarifications, these countries will also join this important initiative”.

According to our interlocutor, although the signed memorandum on cybersecurity is somewhat declarative, but, on the other hand, represents the existing realities and emphasizes the main vector of counteraction to it.

«The importance and value of cybersecurity, which was first discussed in Buenos Aires at the most serious international level, is a confirmation of the above. If earlier the importance of technology development was emphasized, now cybersecurity issues are being raised at the most serious platforms,” said Andrey Krichevsky.

“In fact, today at least 50 percent of human life has gone digital. Pay attention to how much time each of us devotes to our smartphone, not to mention the time spent at the computer. A significant part of people’s communication “takes place” in the virtual space. Many sectors of the economy have already been digitized. Moreover, our personal data and privacy are embedded in digital systems. And all this makes up the so-called “digital avatar” of a person. Naturally, a new dimension of human life is already emerging. And if in everyday life there are still certain institutions to ensure security (the effectiveness of which decreases day by day), in the cybernetic world the work of these institutions is significantly different from our usual ideas due to the use of new methods.

That is why the issue of cybersecurity is a subject of global debate. Naturally, when individual countries state the need for cybersecurity, they primarily proceed from their own state interests. As for us, we joined this taking into account the human capital factor, which becomes a priority factor over time. Our interests and activity are based on products created as a result of human creativity. And as important is the protection of intellectual property for us, as important is the security of the author of intellectual products.

We are well aware that as soon as an intelligent product appears in a digital environment, a number of important security guarantees in force in life immediately disappear. It is important for us to emphasize the importance of the participation of each person in the creation of human capital. If for the bank owners the security of their own deposits is in the first place, then the same principle applies in our case. For this reason, we, along with some world’s leading companies, joined this memorandum”.

This international company intends to expand its activities in our region soon. According to our interlocutor, if the agreements in neighboring Georgia are implemented somewhat more slowly, this is due to the processes that are taking place inside this country: “In any case, there is a prospect of cooperation and this is undeniable. We see emphasized interest in our offers. We are in a phase of healthy dialogue. I would like to emphasize that the interests of Georgia are not contrary to the interests of others. This also applies to Armenia. The activity is not directed against anyone, but in the name of universal development and the strengthening of healthy ties with the world”.

The activities in Armenia are also in its infancy, but promising prospects. Corresponding letters have already been sent to the administration of the Prime Minister and the President. An answer was received from the government that discussions were held in the relevant ministries, there are already positive conclusions, now the issue is at the stage of discussions with the Prime Minister. Representatives of the company are expected to meet with Armen Sargsyan, President of Armenia in February.

According to our information, Armen Sargsyan was very interested in this activity, and there are already preliminary arrangements for the meeting: “I can testify that the interest of the Armenian authorities in cooperation is great,” assured our interlocutor.

To the remark whether post-revolutionary processes, structural changes in the government and expected radical reforms are slowing down the progress, our interlocutor answered: “We see that the leaders of Armenia are clearly aware of the realities of the modern world and are striving to create a new type of state, evaluating their own human capital. By the way, this is the main worth of any country.” He hoped that the structural reforms would be completed quickly and that the working process would take place naturally. And before that, the subsidiary of the company will actively work in Armenia on the platforms of the IT sphere.

According to Andrey Krichevsky, there are no initiatives to cooperate with Azerbaijan due to the lack of prerequisites. “ IPChain is an international project, however, the participation of this country in this project is primarily determined by the country’s readiness to create a society based on knowledge and, so to speak, the investment of its human resources,” said our interlocutor, expressing the hope that relations with Azerbaijan will be formed in the near future, and during this time, good-neighborly and partnership relations will be established between the Armenian and Azerbaijani peoples.

Andrey Krichevsky does not share the opinion that the South Caucasus, in any case, is a difficult region: “In fact, the South Caucasus is a rather promising region. Promising in terms of geographical location, human capital and opportunities. And in this sense, for example, cybersecurity may have priority for Armenia. The same applies to Georgia. I think other countries in the region also recognize the importance of cybersecurity. In other words, the one who can become the guarantor of personal data, of the digital environment, the guarantor of the security of state structures, will also become a serious international player. And by the way, it doesn’t matter here whether it’s a big or a small country.

And in this constant process, the mind, the human thought, the ability to create come to the fore. If we take into account the geopolitical vectors and interests of the South Caucasus region, we must supplement what has been said with the fact that in the near future digital neutrality and the so-called “hygiene” will be of great importance. And in the distant future, conflicts will be digitally expressed. We are watching it today. Military action, for example, is preceded by hacker attacks and much more. You must understand that the state, possessing a cybersecurity system, protects itself. In addition, a country that has realized the profound significance of this problem may become a “herald” for other states in cybersecurity decision making.