For the sixth consecutive year events are being held around the world in various formats to mark Global Encryption Day. This year the day will be observed on October 21 in more than 60 countries. “Imagine a World Without Encryption: Defending the Foundations of Digital Trust.”
Armenia represented by the Internet Society Armenia Chapter PO was among the first to join the initiative. Since 2023 the organization has hosted annual events dedicated to encryption, bringing together industry experts and other stakeholders to discuss key developments and challenges in the field.
“Internet security requires a comprehensive, multifaceted approach and raising awareness of the importance of encryption is an essential part of that effort. These annual events also provide an open platform for bringing together the professional community and discussing key issues in an accessible and engaging way,” says Vesmira Harutyunyan, Board Chair of the Internet Society Armenia Chapter PO.
Over the years the scope of topics covered at events organized by ISOC Armenia has continued to expand. Discussions have addressed a wide range of issues, from personal data protection and secure communications to post-quantum cryptography, the security of financial and government systems and the legal regulation of encryption. These discussions highlight that encryption is not merely a technical matter for IT professionals. It directly affects the privacy and security of every internet user’s communications and personal data, as well as public trust in digital services.
Global Encryption Day aims not only to raise public awareness of the importance of encryption but also to send a clear message to governments: encryption must not be weakened through the introduction of exceptional access mechanisms. Such measures can create new vulnerabilities and undermine the security of internet users.
Global Encryption Day was established in 2021 by the Global Encryption Coalition (GEC), during the coalition’s second year of activity. The GEC brings together civil society organizations, technology companies and other stakeholders committed to protecting strong encryption and making the internet safer. In the initiative’s first year 168 organizations joined the coalition.
Today, the coalition includes 466 organizations and individual experts from 108 countries.