Baku: In a concerning development, 47 employees from state institutions in Azerbaijan have reportedly fallen victim to hacker attacks, raising significant concerns about the current state of cyber hygiene and information security within these organizations.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Security (SCIS) has been actively conducting audits and monitoring information security to shield state institutions from both existing and potential cyber threats. Despite efforts such as the “Cyber Hygiene Project” and the dissemination of “Instructions on Ensuring Information Security”, a total of 95 employees across 47 state institutions were targeted by hackers in the first half of this year due to inadequate adherence to cyber hygiene protocols.

Notably, 16% of the civil servants affected held administrative authority, indicating a worrying gap in internal information security controls within these institutions. The SCIS has urged the relevant state bodies to implement appropriate measures to address these vulnerabilities.

Furthermore, the SCIS has highlighted that citizens who neglect information security and personal cyber hygiene also become susceptible to cyberattacks. Such breaches not only jeopardize personal data but also expose authentication credentials and personal information linked to government electronic services. During the first half of 2025, a staggering 6,164 citizens became victims of cyberattacks while engaging with government services.

The SCIS is emphasizing the necessity for state institutions to bolster internal information security measures and connect to a centralized antivirus system to combat escalating cyber threats effectively. The service also advises citizens to employ personal antivirus solutions, avoid clicking on dubious links, and report fake domains to the ‘blacklist.gov.az’ platform to enhance their defenses against cyberattacks.