Domestic cybercrime is a growing concern in Russia

Significance

The chief prosecutor says cybercrime nearly doubled in Russia in January-June from the first half of 2019. The government is more worried about Western states' capacity to penetrate infrastructure, and most efforts are devoted to countering this.

Impacts

• 'Ownership' of counter-cybercrime activity will sharpen rivalries among security agencies.
• Continued security agency use of hackers as deniable assets will be a test of whether the Kremlin is serious about fighting cybercrime.
• The lack of state focus on commercial cybersecurity will be another concern for a private sector that feels its concerns are ignored.