RA spy agency seeks telecom equipment rules

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia's Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) has proposed amendments to the government's Decision No. 1130-N of October 3, 2013, which regulates approval procedures and contracts for installing and maintaining communications equipment on the rooftops and attics of state-owned buildings, excluding facilities designated for classified operations, Aysor.am reports.

The proposal would introduce special regulations for the placement of communications equipment for the Foreign Intelligence Service, similar to the framework already in place for the National Security Service (NSS) and the Ministry of Defense.

Under the current regulations, the State Property Management Committee reviews requests and signs agreements for installing communications equipment on state-owned buildings, except those administered by the NSS and the Ministry of Defense. For buildings under the authority of those two institutions, the respective agencies themselves assess the feasibility of installations and conclude the relevant agreements.

The draft decision states that before approving the installation and maintenance of communications equipment on state-owned buildings located within 500 meters of facilities administered by the NSS or the Ministry of Defense, the State Property Management Committee must first obtain the consent of those institutions. In the case of cultural and historical monuments, it must also receive a positive opinion from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

According to the explanatory note, given the Foreign Intelligence Service's security standards—particularly requirements related to uninterrupted operation of communications and information systems, cyber defense, protection against technical intelligence methods, and ensuring the agency's own security and uninterrupted operations—it is proposed to introduce similar special provisions for the FIS.

If adopted, the amendments would authorize the Foreign Intelligence Service to assess the feasibility of installing communications equipment on rooftops and attics of buildings under its administration and to sign the relevant agreements directly with telecommunications operators.

In addition, before granting permission to install and maintain communications equipment on state-owned buildings located within 500 meters of facilities administered by the Foreign Intelligence Service, the State Property Management Committee would also be required to obtain the FIS's approval.