Vladimir Bengin, who has led the cybersecurity department at the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation, is stepping away from his post. This development appeared in reports published by Kommersant, which noted that a transition is underway and that Bengin has initiated the exit from his leadership role in the department. He reportedly told reporters that his departure is by his own request and that he has not disclosed where he plans to work next. [Kommersant]
Bengin has served as a senior figure within the ministry since June 18, 2021, guiding critical information security initiatives and overseeing teams tasked with protecting state digital infrastructure. Before joining the ministry, he held positions at Positive Technologies, a renowned Russian security firm, where he contributed to product development and security strategy. His career path reflects a blend of private sector expertise and public sector leadership, with a focus on strengthening cyber defenses across government services and digital platforms. [Kommersant]
Among the notable efforts under Bengin’s leadership was the launch of a Bug Bounty program on the Gosuslugi portal in 2023. The initiative mobilized security researchers to identify vulnerabilities across the state services ecosystem, enabling the ministry to detect and address issues related to medium and low severity before they could be exploited. Reports indicate that thousands of testers participated in the program, collectively contributing to an enhanced security posture for public digital services. This program highlighted the growing role of white-hat ethical hackers in safeguarding critical government systems. [Kommersant]
Context around the ministry’s security initiatives in recent years has also included public discussions about how certain VPN services are treated within the Russian Federation, reflecting ongoing policy and regulatory considerations that intersect with national cybersecurity objectives. Bengin’s departure comes amid broader conversations about the direction of cybersecurity leadership and the ongoing evolution of how state digital services are defended in an increasingly interconnected environment. [Kommersant]