OVIO | Armenia’s only TIER III certified data center and its economic and technological significance

2025-07-03

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.