Implementation of New SORM Requirements Will Lead to Additional Expenses for Telecom Operators

In June, Rostelecom expressed its position regarding the requirements for the technical means system to support operational investigative activities (SORM). This was highlighted by the Telegram channel “Telecom Review.” The telecom operator noted that implementing the project will require the installation of additional equipment and will result in extra expenses. On the regulatory legal acts portal, the company’s proposals are marked as “partially taken into account.”

“To implement these project requirements, it will be necessary to expand SORM storage systems, which will accordingly lead to additional company expenses. The cost assessment will be based on the technical solution from the manufacturer and may be provided later. Based on the above, considering the need to install additional equipment and expand SORM storage systems, we propose to set the project’s effective date for December 2023,” the operator’s proposal states.

Earlier, the Ministry of Digital Development drafted amendments to the SORM requirements. The document adjusts the requirements for information encoding parameters between the SORM control panel (FSB) and SORM-3 technical means (TS ORM, operators), as well as parameters for information collection, storage format, mutual authentication between TS ORM and the control panel, and channel bandwidth reservation between them. Additionally, SORM systems must separately identify and store internet call traffic, user geolocation data, and browser history.

Notably, the Ministry of Digital Development considered that no additional costs would be required from operators and manufacturers.