On 9–10 October 2025, the “CIDC 2025 – Critical Infrastructure Defence Challenge” international cybersecurity festival was held at the Baku Congress Centre. The event was co-organised by the State Service of Special Communication and Information Security and the State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, bringing together global experts and institutions to discuss the future of critical infrastructure protection and digital resilience.
Fostering Collaboration in Cybersecurity and Digital Defence
Now in its second edition, CIDC 2025 gathered 2,245 visitors, 360 training participants, 47 competing teams, and 56 partner organisations. The festival’s main objective was to promote knowledge exchange in critical infrastructure defence, information security, and artificial intelligence applications, while strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing digital stability and innovation.
The opening ceremony was attended by senior government officials, industry leaders, cybersecurity experts, academics, and young professionals. Among the keynote speakers were Lieutenant General Ilgar Musayev, Head of the State Service of Special Communication and Information Security; Farid Hajiyev, Chief of Staff of the Milli Majlis; Elnur Aliyev, First Deputy Minister of Economy; Samedin Asadov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport; Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA); Davud Rustamov, Head of the National Cybersecurity Centre under the State Security Service; and Alexander Esaulenko, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Azerbaijan.
C4IR Azerbaijan as a Strategic Partner
C4IR Azerbaijan, under the Ministry of Economy, participated as a key partner alongside major national and international institutions, including the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Central Bank of Azerbaijan, SOCAR, Innovation and Digital Development Agency, KOBIA, Electronic Security Service, the Azerbaijan Cybersecurity Organisations Association (AKTA), Femmes Digitales, and E-Governance Academy (Estonia).
The event featured 10 expert presentations, 5 panel discussions, and 6 free training sessions as part of Azerbaijan’s first Cyber School “Hack The Future 2” programme. Companies such as Blackbox Security, PeakEye Group, and Cyber Exer contributed to the organisation of workshops, competitions, and the “Cyberwarfare in Smart Cities” simulation platform.
Innovation, Skills, and Regional Leadership
Modern exhibition spaces and high-tech facilities at the Baku Congress Centre, accommodating up to 3,500 participants, provided an interactive environment for learning and networking. The cybersecurity exhibition hosted 41 local and international companies, showcasing cutting-edge solutions in information security, risk management, and network protection. Interactive challenges and live quiz sessions further enhanced visitor engagement.
The highlight of the festival was the virtual cyberwarfare competition, held under the “Cyberwarfare in Smart Cities” concept. A total of 25 teams representing government agencies, critical infrastructure, and the banking and telecommunications sectors competed. The winners were:
- 🥇 “RedBox” team (AzInTelecom LLC) – 15,000 AZN
- 🥈 “Cybercell” team (Azercell) – 10,000 AZN
- 🥉 “Bir Sec” team (Kapital Bank JSC) – 5,000 AZN
Certificates were also awarded to participants of the masterclasses, as well as to the event’s sponsors and partners.
The CIDC 2025 Cyber Festival plays a pivotal role in consolidating Azerbaijan’s position as a regional leader in cybersecurity, enhancing young professionals’ technical skills, and deepening public–private cooperation. The partnerships formed and the technological solutions showcased during the festival will continue to strengthen the foundations of Azerbaijan’s digital security and resilience ecosystem.
