From Russia with Cyber Defense: Domestic Security Software Draws Global Interest in Dubai
The strong performance of Russian cybersecurity vendors at GITEX Global 2025 shows that the country is no longer just defending its own digital perimeter — it is positioning itself as an exporter of security technologies to the Global South.
Russian Cybersecurity Gains Export Momentum
Russian information security (IS) companies demonstrated significant export potential at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, where their solutions attracted notable interest from governments and enterprises across the Global South. For Russia, the results are more than a trade success story — they reinforce the country’s ability to compete on the global cybersecurity market and strengthen its digital sovereignty.
The surge in international demand reflects a rapid upgrade in Russia’s cybersecurity expertise over the past three years. Analysts link this growth to two factors: systemic state support for the IT sector and an urgent need to respond to evolving cyberthreats, from mass data theft to complex attacks on critical infrastructure.
If the trend continues, Russia may shape an alternative cybersecurity ecosystem that challenges the dominance of Western vendors.
A Strategic Step Beyond the Domestic Market
The high demand for Russian solutions at GITEX highlights a shift: local vendors are moving from domestic deployment to export strategy. Inside the country, this strengthens federal support programs and accelerates the rollout of Russian security software across government agencies, state corporations and regulated industries.
However, entering foreign markets comes with complications — localization, regulatory compliance and proof of reliability will be mandatory. Competition with established U.S. and EU cybersecurity providers is inevitable. Still, the move signals a major step forward: the Russian IS sector is no longer locked inside the national perimeter.
Growing Portfolio of Certified and Export-Ready Products
Russia continues expanding its Unified Software Register, a national catalog promoting domestic IT products for government and public-sector deployment. In 2022 alone, nearly 20,000 applications were submitted — only 3,500 met the inclusion criteria. The filtering continues in 2023–2024, raising the technical bar for future vendors.
Several Russian companies have already begun to position themselves globally. For instance, Gazinformservice showcased its solutions at GITEX 2025, framing the UAE as an anchor market for long-term cooperation in the Middle East. The region shows high demand for integrated IS platforms, and Dubai is emerging as a strategic entry point.
Russia has reached roughly 50% software import substitution across key product categories, according to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. One example is the locally developed MyOffice suite, already replacing Microsoft Office in both corporate and government environments.
Partnerships are also expanding: Russian IS developer F6 and major IT distributor OCS signed an agreement to expand regional delivery channels for security products. Meanwhile, the Red OS operating system was certified for use at critical information infrastructure (CII) sites and approved for handling personal and sensitive data — a milestone in national cybersecurity standardization.
State Support + Global Expansion = Next Growth Wave
Russia’s cybersecurity software is gaining visibility abroad, and 2025–2027 is expected to bring more trade missions, exhibition showcases and export contracts. With additional state-backed programs, Russian companies aim to secure long-term presence in foreign markets, especially in countries seeking alternatives to Western vendors.
In the 3–5 year horizon, Russian IS products could become globally recognizable brands, driven by markets interested in diversification, digital sovereignty and affordable high-level protection.
