Political scientist. Strategic analyst. Builder of the institutions he writes about.
Vladimir “Vlad” Tsakanyan works at the intersection of cybersecurity policy and international relations. He directs the Cyberdiplomacy Strategy Program at CCD-IS, the research center he founded, and leads VVT California Inc., an advisory practice helping organizations navigate digital transformation and security risk.
His academic path runs through RUDN University in Moscow and Yerevan State University in Armenia, where he earned a PhD in History, an MA in World Politics, and a BA in International Relations — training that now underpins his reading of how cyber capability reshapes foreign policy, alliance behavior, and the norms states operate by online. From 2016 to 2022 he served as an Assistant Professor of Political Science at RUDN; before that, as a Sergeant in the Armenian Army.
He is a member of the International Studies Association and the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America, and has presented research at ISA's Northeast and Annual conferences and the Pacific Conference on Politics, Law & Public Policy.
Two research traditions, one throughline: rigorous academic training in Moscow and Yerevan, now applied to how governments and companies actually read cyber risk.
Areas of expertise
Six domains, one throughline: how power moves through digital systems, and what that means for diplomacy, security, and the organizations caught between them.
Cyberdiplomacy
How cyber capability is negotiated, contested, and normalized between states.
Cybersecurity Policy
Governance frameworks, vulnerability management, and regulation across major powers.
Hybrid & Asymmetric Warfare
Where information operations, cyberattacks, and conventional force intersect.
Russian Policy
Foreign and domestic policy, digital strategy, and influence across the post-Soviet space.
Middle East Affairs
State and non-state cyber capability, proxy conflict, and great-power competition.
Strategic Advisory
Precision analysis and discreet guidance for organizations facing complex geopolitical exposure.
Organizations
CCD-IS
FounderAn independent research initiative examining how cyber capability shapes global power, foreign policy, and strategic stability — bridging academic research with policy-facing analysis for governments, institutions, and private organizations.
cybercenter.spaceVVT California
FounderAn advisory practice helping California businesses through IT modernization and security-minded digital transformation — cloud migration, infrastructure resilience, and operational strategy.
vvtcalifornia.comPublications & presentations
The Role of Cybersecurity in World Politics
Vestnik RUDN, International Relations
The Impact of Cybersecurity on Development in Collective Security Systems
ISA Northeast Conference · Baltimore, MD
U.S.–Russia Relations and Cybersecurity Considerations
ISA Annual Convention · Toronto, ON
The Sisu Advantage
Pacific Conference on Politics, Law & Public Policy · San Mateo, CA
Political & geopolitical analysis, 8+ articles
IA REX, Russia-based policy & analysis outlet
Full record via ORCID, ResearchGate, Academia.edu and Google Scholar. Media coverage of CCD-IS via International Business Journal.
- International Studies Association
- Armenian Engineers & Scientists of America
- Gulbenkian Academic Scholarship
- Russian Federation Scholarship
Professional history
Director & Researcher
CCD-IS — Center for Cyber Diplomacy and International Security
Founder
VVT California Inc. · Glendale, CA
ISA Conference Presenter
International Studies Association · Baltimore & Toronto
Assistant Professor of Political Science
RUDN University · Moscow, Russia
Political Analyst
IA REX · Russia-based policy & analysis outlet
PhD & MA Researcher
RUDN University & Yerevan State University
BA, International Relations · Sergeant, Armenian Army
Yerevan State University
Get in touch
Research inquiries, consulting engagements, advisory roles, and media requests.
Based in the United States · Available internationally