Russia’s Public Portal Security Review and the New Military Draft Rules
The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Russia disclosed findings from a vulnerability search program conducted on the public services portal. Over a three month period, the initiative identified 34 distinct security flaws. The ministry attributed these discoveries to a crowd of ethical testers who are commonly referred to as white hackers, highlighting a growing collaboration between government systems and the wider cybersecurity community. TASS reported that more than 8,400 bug bounty contributors participated in the effort, each driven by the prospect of earning rewards while enhancing the portal’s defenses. In the ministry’s summary, the total tally stood at 34 vulnerabilities, with the majority categorized as having medium to low criticality. The report underscores that ongoing testing remains a critical component of maintaining robust digital services for citizens and businesses alike.
The process described shows a deliberate approach toward strengthening public digital infrastructure. By engaging a broad network of testers, officials aim to detect weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them. The informed balance between risk and reward, coupled with transparent reporting, helps create a more resilient portal that supports Canada and the United States in understanding the progress Russia is making in securing essential e-government services. As the review concludes, attention remains on timely remediation and continuous monitoring, ensuring that security keeps pace with evolving threats across jurisdictions.
In the legislative arena, April brought significant changes to the law On military duty and service, as the State Duma gave final approval to amendments during the third reading. Under the new framework, citizens who receive a summons will face restrictions that prevent them from leaving Russia until they report to the military registration and enlistment office. Subpoenas will be delivered to individuals through their Government Services personal accounts, reinforcing a streamlined notification process. Dmitry Peskov, the President’s press secretary, clarified that the adjustments are not a mobilization measure. Instead, the focus is on systematizing the draft procedure to improve efficiency and order within the existing call-up framework. This clarification helps distinguish the reforms from broader conscription efforts and emphasizes administrative clarity for all involved.