Putin ramps up data security, orders creation of ‘inner internet’

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree ordering the creation of a Russian state “segment of the Internet,” with the aim of warding off cyber threats and increasing information security in Russia.

The presidential decree states that all networks of government bodies will be united into a single state network. Data from this inner network will be transferred to the “outer Internet” through special secured systems developed by the Federal Protective Services.

Government authorities had used secured another kind of secured data system before this decree.

According to the decree, by December 2017, most state authorities must communicate and transfer data only through the new “inner” state Internet. This includes the Presidential Administration, the Government, the Investigative Committee, and all executive authorities.