Roskomnadzor Identifies Network Resilience Issues After Runet Stability Drills

The head of Roskomnadzor, Andrey Lipov, has reported problems with the operation of communication networks under intentional impact, which were discovered during recent security and stability drills conducted under the “Sovereign Internet” law.

“The latest drills revealed issues related to the resilience of communication networks when lines and facilities are deliberately targeted. The shutdown of certain network facilities can affect the availability of communication services throughout an entire region,” Lipov said at the “Spectrum” forum in Sochi.

Lipov noted that the drills have become an effective tool for identifying threats to network operations and for developing response measures. According to him, based on the results, amendments to legislation have been prepared, including draft concepts for legal regulation and a law on primary communication networks. The head of Roskomnadzor expressed hope that changes to communications legislation will be adopted in the near future.

The “Sovereign Internet” law was adopted in 2019 and granted Roskomnadzor the authority to set rules for routing the traffic of Russian operators. In the event of threats to the functioning of the internet in Russia, the agency can centrally manage traffic through the Center for Monitoring and Management of the Public Communications Network. According to a government decree from October of the same year, conducting drills under this law became mandatory and must occur at least once a year.

In total, four rounds of drills have been conducted, with the most recent taking place overnight on July 5, 2023. According to unofficial information, the latest exercise involved “disconnecting the international internet” to ensure that the Russian segment would remain operational.