Russia Authorizes Temporary State Takeover of Unprotected Critical Infrastructure
Owners of critical infrastructure who fail to implement proper protection measures now face the risk of temporarily losing control over their assets. President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree introducing new security measures for critical infrastructure objects, granting the government authority to appoint a temporary manager in such cases.
The decree establishes a clear procedure for intervention when operators do not meet required security standards. The appointed temporary administrator will assume management responsibilities for the affected facilities, ensuring operational continuity while security deficiencies are addressed. This mechanism applies specifically to assets designated as critical infrastructure whose inadequate protection could pose risks to national interests.
Officials emphasize that the measure is designed as a temporary safeguard rather than a permanent transfer of ownership. Once the necessary security improvements are verified, control is expected to return to the original owners. The policy targets sectors where lapses in protection could lead to significant operational or safety consequences.
Related articles
Russia's Data Leak Penalties: 2.6 Million Rubles in Fines Despite 1.58 Billion Records Exposed in 2025
Russia introduced turnover-based fines for personal data leaks through Federal Law 420-FZ in late 2024, fundamentally altering the economics of information security investments. Over the first 18 months, Roskomnadzor opened 52 administrative investigations and issued 40 protocols totaling just 2.6 million rubles in penalties, with zero turnover fines applied. This occurred against a backdrop of 1.58 billion compromised records in 2025 alone. Public data leaks dropped fourfold in the first half of 2026, yet trading activity on underground forums rose nearly 60 percent as operators shifted to private sales. The law now ties penalties directly to the number of affected individuals and adds a turnover component for repeat violations under Article 13.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. Analysts note that the mere threat of larger fines has prompted companies to reassess data retention policies and risk models even without actual enforcement precedents.
Microsoft Removes Reinstallation Requirement for Enabling Smart App Control in Windows 11
Microsoft has eliminated the primary restriction on Smart App Control, allowing home users to activate or reactivate the Windows 11 security feature without performing a clean installation of the operating system. Previously, toggling the setting effectively required users to reinstall the entire system. Smart App Control leverages Microsoft's cloud-based reputation system and analyzes digital signatures to block suspicious, potentially dangerous, or unsigned files before execution. The toggle is now accessible through Windows Security under App & browser control. The update is being rolled out gradually via Windows 11 updates, though users who have disabled optional diagnostic data may still need a reset or reinstallation. The feature can interfere with developers and enterprise users working with rare or unsigned tools, as there is no option to whitelist individual blocked applications.
Russian State Operators Must Report Cyber Incidents to FSB Within 24 Hours From September 2026
Starting 1 September 2026, operators of state information systems in Russia will be required to notify the National Coordination Center for Computer Incidents within 24 hours of detecting a cyber incident. The mandate is set out in FSB Order 297 and applies to operators of GIS, information systems of state bodies, state unitary enterprises and state institutions. The order places particular emphasis on incidents involving unauthorized data transfers. Organizations will interact with GosSOPKA through the technical infrastructure of NKTsKI, which will issue an incident identifier upon receipt of the report. The new rules formalize what was previously considered good practice and stem directly from Law 568-FZ adopted in December 2025. The requirement removes any possibility of delaying notification to the FSB.
Trusting Russian Root Certificates and Monitoring Domestic CT Logs
The article examines risks associated with installing Russian root certificates issued by the Ministry of Digital Development. It explains how these certificates, when trusted, enable potential MitM attacks through TSPU infrastructure by allowing on-the-fly issuance of fraudulent certificates for foreign domains. Yandex Browser stands out by enforcing Certificate Transparency checks for domestic certificates, unlike other browsers that disable CT validation in the presence of added roots. Three primary domestic CT logs are maintained by Yandex, VK, and the Ministry, with log lists updated annually. A Python script is provided to query these logs directly and verify SCT inclusion for any certificate. The piece also notes limitations of existing web monitors such as ct.tlscc.ru when dealing with newer log endpoints.