Russia tests 'sovereign' internet to ensure security
Russia completed a series of tests on Monday checking that its internet services could function if the country were to get cut off from the worldwide web, Deputy Communications Minister Aleksei Sokolov said.
The review, conducted over the course of several days on specially designated networks, follows a “sovereign internet” bill introduced in November in response to what Russia calls the “aggressive nature” of U.S. national cyber security strategy.
“Our goal was to provide an uninterrupted internet service on Russian territory under any circumstances,” Sokolov told a press briefing.
"The results of the tests have shown that on the whole both authorities and service providers are ready to effectively react to emerging risks and threats and ensure the reliable work of both the internet and the single telecommunication network," deputy communications minister Alexei Sokolov told reporters.
The Communications Ministry will produce a report on the outcomes of the test to be reviewed by President Vladimir Putin, he added.
State-controlled television channel Rossiya 24 said the authorities had in fact been conducting the tests for the past two weeks.
Apart from testing the safety of the Russian segment of the internet in case of an attack, authorities also tried to ensure the safety of mobile users and whether it was possible to intercept traffic and text messages, Sokolov said.
"The purpose of the task is to ensure the reliable operation of the internet in Russia in any conditions and under any circumstances," he added, referring to the drills. "Our task is to make sure everything works. That's what today's drills are aimed at."
The law, which Putin signed in May, requires Russian internet providers to install equipment provided by the authorities to enable centralized control of data traffic.
They will also filter content to prevent access to banned websites.
Putin defends 'sovereign internet'
At his annual news conference last week, Putin defended Russia's internet policies, promising that the country was not "moving towards closing off the internet."
"A free internet and a sovereign internet are two concepts that aren't mutually exclusive," he said.
The internet is the country's main forum for political debate and opposing voices as well as coordinating opposition demonstrations. The new system is set to go online in 2021.
Internet providers need to ensure before then that their networks have the technical means for "centralized traffic control" to counter potential threats.
(Source: Agencies)
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