Russian information security vendor FACCT, once the Russian arm of Group-IB, faces potential decertification as a supplier to critical information infrastructure (CII) entities by the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (FSTEC), a unit linked to the FSB. Market sources say FACCT’s products may lose their certification status in Russia, restricting their use by CII organizations. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
FSTEC has begun contacting CII-affected Russian businesses across sectors such as manufacturing, fuel and energy, and finance to report on FACCT product usage. The regulator set a deadline of December 25, 2023 for these inquiries, and copies of the requests have circulated among editors. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
Industry observers note that earlier this year FSTEC suspended FACCT’s certification allowing commercial sales to CII. The current communications appear aimed at assessing how many entities rely on FACCT solutions and mapping the potential impact if decertification proceeds. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
Some market voices warn that decertification could be influenced by competitive pressure within FACCT’s market segment, possibly facilitated by other players in the same space. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
Reports in FACCT’s publication Newspap er.ru indicate that the timeline for these regulatory inquiries aligns with the standard procedure of re-testing before renewal of certifications. The piece cites increased activity around product testing as a driver for the regulator’s actions. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
FACCT has stated that although the certificate was renewed in August, it was subsequently suspended due to laboratory evaluations. Information received suggests that early December 2023 brought results from FSTEC’s testing laboratory regarding FACCT software systems, with a predicted renewal decision to follow soon. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
At press time, FSTEC had not issued an official comment on the requests sent to Russian companies about FACCT product usage. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
FACCT represents the former Russian division of Group-IB, an international information security firm established by Russian entrepreneur Ilya Sachkov. Sachkov was arrested in 2021 on treason-related charges and was sentenced in 2023. After the arrest, Group-IB relocated its main operations to Singapore, and the Russian division was reorganized as FACCT. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
Former industry insiders warn that recent developments may signal a new pattern of regulatory pressure aligned with broader security-centered inquiries, raising concerns about potential fraud tactics linked to state agencies. (Source: Socialbites.ca)