Russia's Defense Ministry starts issuing cryptographically protected mobile phones to top officers

The Russian Defense Ministry has started issuing cryptographically protected mobile phones to top commanding officers, according to the newspaper Izvestia. The officers receiving the devices reportedly have top secret security clearance. In 2015 and 2016, the Defense Ministry bought 1,700 M-663C “Atlas” high-security telephones, says the news agency RIA Novosti.

What are these phones? The M-663C is manufactured by the “Atlas” Scientific and Technical Center, a federal state unitary enterprise. The devices are equipped with hardware that cryptographically protects voice information. These phones can access GSM networks using a SIM card from Megafon, which is currently the only operator in Russia that has a license from Atlas for encrypted communications.

What other measures is Moscow entertaining against cellular technology?

Russia’s military is also considering stricter regulations on the mobile phones, laptops, and tablets soldiers bring with them to Syria. The Defense Ministry says it is organizing a communications hub at Khmeimim Airbase with 30 workstations, which soldiers can use to phone home securely.

The newspaper Kommersant previously reported that the Russian military plans to limit the use of smartphones in Syria to reduce intelligence leaks. The Defense Ministry reportedly wants to provide troops with flip-phones that lack geolocation technology and cameras.