Wounded soldiers use IT training to protect Georgia’s security

Two wounded soldiers of the Georgian Armed Forces (GAF) are embarking on a new career in the IT industry that allows them to serve their country but in a new capacity that’s far from the battlefield.

Today Junior Sergeant Mikheil Dolidze and Private First Class Guram Chimakhidze were qualified as cyber security professionals and awarded certificates for completing a basic course in safeguarding digital and online communications at the Cyber Security Bureau of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.

This training will allow them to continue to serve Georgia and protect its security, but from behind a computer and not on the battlefield.

The two former soldiers were presented their certificates by high-ranking Commanders of the GAF.

Dolidze and Chimakhidze joined the cyber security course in spring 2016, which was organised and run by the Cyber Security Bureau of the Ministry of Defence of Georgia.

Dolidze and Chimakhidze presented their work on digital security threats at the Cyber Security Bureau today. Photo from the Ministry of Defence of Georgia/Facebook.

At the Cyber Security Bureau today, Dolidze and Chimakhidze presented their work on digital security threats for the top GAF Commanders before speaking to media about the security threats in the digital world.

Cyber security is very important for Georgia so we should work to raise awareness of the subject both in Governmental and non-governmental agencies and institutions. Further trainings and lectures on cyber security are planned to be held at the agency in the near future," said Chimakhidze, who was wounded during a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan in 2013.

The former service member of the 32nd Battalion of the GAF stepped on an improvised explosive device while serving in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, which concluded in 2014.

The newly qualified professionals will now train employees of the Defence Ministry in cyber security. Photo from the Ministry of Defence of Georgia/Facebook.

Chimakhidze recovered at a hospital in Germany before undergoing a prosthetic operation in the United States.

Junior Sergeant Dolidze was wounded in action during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

The Ministry said the goal of the Cyber Security Bureau probation was to give the two service members a new professional direction within the country’s defence structure and support their reintegration into society following their accidents.

The Ministry of Defence said other wounded soldiers of the GAF would also have the opportunity to undergo similar courses in the future to assist in their long-term recovery.

Newly qualified Chimakhidze and Dolidze will now use newly acquired knowledge of cyber security to train employees of the Ministry of Defence.

The Cyber Security Bureau was established in 2014 to create and maintain secure digital communication and information systems for the Defence Ministry and General Staff of the GAF.