Dear
Mr. Faramazyan, your company has successfully implemented a major investment
project, endorsed by the Government of Armenia, and approximately a year ago
launched the largest data center in the
country. Could you briefly describe the goals of this project and its
importance for Armenia’s economy?
The
idea of implementing an investment project to build a data center meeting
international standards was presented to investors several years ago, when
there was a noticeable trend of exponential data growth in the global market,
related to the expansion of digital services such as e-government, e-commerce,
and so on.
Our
idea was to create a sovereign data center within the Republic of Armenia that
would enable our public and private sectors to safely store and host their
data. The goal was clear: for Armenia to have its own place on the global
technology map as a country with a certified data center that meets
international standards.
For
any country, it is extremely important to have data centers, as they have a
multiplier effect on the economy. First, government agencies gain the
opportunity to safely store their data in a locally hosted cloud environment
without significant investment, while businesses can access complex
technological solutions affordably.
The
presence of data centers also positively impacts the energy system.
It
is also important to note their role for foreign investors: any investor,
particularly in the technology sector, when making investment decisions, takes
into account the existing infrastructure of the country. Alongside the
availability of roads, communications, and energy infrastructure, the presence
of data centers is also of great importance.
Considering
all these factors, we managed to receive Government approval and build our data
center, which is based on international best practices, has a capacity of 2
megawatts, is certified by prestigious international standards such as ISO
27001, 27017, 27018, PCI DSS, and TIER III, and meets the demands of even the
most demanding customers.
What services are provided by OVIO’s Data Center?
There
are many services, but among our offers we especially highlight cloud
solutions.
OVIO
Cloud is built on high-class physical servers equipped with the latest
technologies, making it an ideal platform for virtual solutions requiring high
performance and heavy workloads.
In
addition to internet access, OVIO Cloud enables servers to connect to dedicated
data transmission channels, ensuring high network stability and security.
Thanks
to the self-service platform, it is easy to manage server backups without
technical intervention.
Apart
from cloud services, the main services include Colocation, Disaster Recovery,
Cloud Backup, S3 object storage, Smart Hands, and AntiDDoS.
I
should also mention that OVIO provides a full package of managed IT services —
from monitoring and managing servers, network equipment, and other
infrastructure components to efficient management of applications, hosting, and
IT operational processes.
In
addition, support services are provided, including 24/7 technical support and
IT consulting, which help our clients efficiently manage, scale, and optimize
their IT resources to match their growing business needs.
Our
data center is carrier-neutral, which means that our customers can use not only
OVIO’s internet and data transmission services but also have access to all
major operators operating in Armenia.
What technical capabilities does OVIO’s Data Center have?
The
OVIO data center is a modern facility designed to deliver exceptional
reliability, security, and efficiency.
It
is connected to Armenia’s power system by two independent substations of 35 kV
and 110 kV. The uninterrupted operation of the center is also ensured by two
independent Mitsubishi diesel generators, each with a capacity of 2 megawatts.
The
data center houses more than 210 server racks, each with a capacity of 5 kW.
How is customer data security ensured?
When
talking about security, it is important to separate it into two parts —
physical and functional.
As
for physical security, OVIO’s data center is the only one in Armenia built in
accordance with Tier III international standards.
The
center is under 24/7 physical security monitoring, and entry and exit are
controlled by biometric identification systems.
Fire
protection systems are in place, including systems with Chladon 227 gas,
aspirating smoke detection, and smoke sensors.
The
facility is equipped with advanced cooling and ventilation systems from
Mitsubishi and Systemair, which constantly maintain the optimal temperature for
servers.
There is 24/7 video surveillance in the data center, with about 100 cameras installed so that there are no “blind spots.”
From
a functional security perspective, OVIO’s data center is built in accordance
with prestigious international standards ISO 27001, 27017, 27018, PCI DSS,
which cover information security management, cloud system protection, data
confidentiality, and banking information protection.
We
have implemented comprehensive security measures, including multi-layered
cybersecurity protocols and 24/7 monitoring to counter DDoS attacks.
Regarding
the supplier–customer relationship, strict rules are maintained to limit
equipment access. The data center’s employees do not have access to customer
data — specialists provide remote technical support only with prior agreement
and under the full supervision of the customer’s actions. In this way, each
customer has access only to their own account.
Are there specialists in Armenia qualified to work with data centers
I
would note that we prioritized involving local specialists both in the
construction phase and in the further management of the data center.
The
OVIO data center commissioning project involved both Armenian and foreign
highly qualified experts.
At
the same time, it was an excellent opportunity for deeper cooperation with
local universities and educational institutions, expanding STEM (science,
technology, engineering and mathematics) education and offering specialized
retraining programs in IT and data management.
What impact will the data center have on the intensively developing field of artificial intelligence?
Our
data center is technically ready to support the development of artificial
intelligence (AI) with its powerful infrastructure.
It
provides flexible and scalable computing resources, which are essential for
training and operating AI models.
DDoS
protection is also available, ensuring uninterrupted operation even during
cyberattacks, and Veeam backup solutions guarantee complete data preservation
and rapid recovery.
The
combination of these services ensures high efficiency for AI projects, data
security, and growth opportunities, making the data center a reliable platform
for both AI and other innovation programs.
Where is OVIO’s data center located?
Our
data center is located in the city of Abovyan, just 16 km from the capital
Yerevan. Its strategic location provides convenience and quick accessibility
for both local and international customers, offering a wide range of solutions.