# USTDA Pilots Moldova Telecom Cybersecurity

On October 22, 2026, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced an agreement with Moldova’s state-owned telecommunications company, Moldtelecom, to fund a feasibility study and pilot of U.S. cybersecurity technology for a proposed security operations center and Moldtelecom’s networks. USTDA selected Virginia-based Pythia International to conduct the work. The announcement provides no funding amount, contract number, or procurement timeline, and identifies an already-selected contractor rather than an open solicitation.

- U.S. cybersecurity firms and integrators can use the project as market intelligence on USTDA-supported work involving security operations centers and protection of international telecommunications infrastructure; the signal does not describe an active bid opportunity.
- Contractors evaluating similar international work should note the combination of a feasibility study, technology pilot, and state-owned telecom customer. No project value or timeline is provided for estimating or scheduling purposes.
- Pythia International is the selected contractor for this study and pilot; other firms should distinguish potential future or supporting work from the selection already announced.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
- Moldtelecom JSC (Moldtelecom)

### Vendors
- Pythia International Inc. (Selected contractor for the feasibility study and pilot project)

### Key Quotes
> This project hardens a strategic partner’s critical telecommunications infrastructure against malign actors and generates actionable cyber threat intelligence that can work together with U.S. cybersecurity efforts.
> — Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA Deputy Director

> More importantly, it strengthens our ability to protect the critical communications infrastructure that people, businesses and public institutions across Moldova rely on every day.
> — Viorel Motorniuc, Moldtelecom Interim Director General

### Sources
- [USTDA Pilots U.S. Cybersecurity Solutions in Moldova – USTDA](https://ustda.gov/ustda-pilots-u-s-cybersecurity-solutions-in-moldova/) - Ustda