Parallel to the rapid development of digital technologies, cybersecurity issues have become one of the main priorities of both national security and education policy. In this context, a ministry official specifically emphasized the importance of establishing cybersecurity laboratories in universities during his speech.
Commenting on the issue to AzEdu.az, Parvana Mammadova, Deputy Chairman of the Public Council under the Ministry of Science and Education, stated that she considers the approach to be an extremely correct and timely step:
"Because cybersecurity has ceased to be merely a technical field and has transformed into a strategic direction directly linked to national security, economic stability, and the protection of citizens' personal data. In an era of accelerating digitalization, everyone, from government agencies to the private sector, and even individual users, faces potential cyber risks. From this perspective, the training of professional personnel in cybersecurity should be considered a national priority.
The establishment of cybersecurity laboratories in universities allows students not only to acquire theoretical knowledge but also to apply that knowledge in real cyberattack scenarios. Through these laboratories, students gain important practical skills such as timely identification of risks, prevention of attacks, protection of systems, and prompt response to incidents. Consequently, graduates can integrate into the labor market more prepared and flexibly.
Such laboratories also serve to bridge the gap between the higher education system and the labor market. A modern laboratory environment trains students in conditions close to real work environments, accelerates the training of local cybersecurity specialists, and in the long term, creates conditions for reducing dependence on foreign specialists and technology. This is of paramount importance for strengthening the country's overall digital security potential".
International experience shows that cybersecurity laboratories should be established not merely as spaces equipped with technical equipment, but as complex and sustainable ecosystems
"For example, in the USA, Carnegie Mellon University's CyLab model is based on close cooperation between academia, industry, and government agencies, bringing together scientific research with practical applications. MIT approaches cybersecurity issues not only from an engineering perspective but also integrates legal, ethical, and policy aspects into the educational process. The University of Oxford, on the other hand, prioritizes the formation of ethical norms and legal frameworks in the field of cybersecurity.
The application of these approaches in Azerbaijani universities can significantly contribute to the training of personnel with practical skills, who can respond to modern challenges and are globally competitive. At the same time, this will enable the strengthening of the country's digital sovereignty, ensure institutional resilience in the field of cybersecurity, and make it more prepared against future risks".
