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Russian Data Centers Face New Security Requirements Amid Drone Threats
Key points
- New decree mandates increased physical security for critical infrastructure.
- Government can temporarily seize control of facilities failing to comply.
- Data centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg are particularly affected.
- Some data centers are already strengthening defenses against drone attacks.
New Security Mandates for Critical Infrastructure
Russian data center operators are preparing to increase expenditures on physical defenses. This follows a new decree signed by President Vladimir Putin in late August, which tightens security requirements for critical infrastructure in response to ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks. The decree allows the government to temporarily assume control of facilities if operators do not adequately protect them, including from drone threats.
Scope of the Decree
The new regulations apply to a broad range of critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, telecommunications, transportation, and utilities. Russian media reports indicate that data centers are specifically affected, particularly those hosting systems for government agencies, banks, and major service providers. Some data centers have already begun reinforcing defenses around external engineering equipment.
Geographic Vulnerability
A significant challenge arises from the concentration of Russia’s data center capacity in areas increasingly exposed to Ukrainian drone operations, such as Moscow and St. Petersburg. Russia had 181 data centers as of February. Data centers were not traditionally designed to withstand aerial attacks, but the increasing capabilities of drones have raised concerns among local industry experts.
Previous Relocation Considerations and Escalating Threats
As early as 2023, some companies considered relocating data from facilities near Moscow to locations east of the Ural Mountains due to drone attacks on the capital. Since then, Ukraine has expanded its long-range drone operations, striking various targets deep inside Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated intentions to further increase this pressure, aiming to "close" Russia’s skies with drones.
Mutual Targeting of Data Infrastructure
Both sides have targeted data infrastructure. In July, a strike damaged a major data center in Kyiv, disrupting several local internet providers. Ukrainian data centers have also faced cyberattacks, including a January 2024 incident affecting a facility serving several state-owned companies.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Russian data centers are increasing physical security spending due to new government requirements aimed at protecting critical infrastructure from Ukrainian drone attacks. A recent decree allows the government to take control of facilities that fail to adequately protect against such threats, impacting data centers, especially those serving government, banking, and major service providers.