Technologies of Independence: Why the Global South Is Turning to Russian Cybersecurity Expertise
Russian developers of cybersecurity systems are actively expanding the geography of their product and service exports. The primary destinations are markets in the Global South, mainly the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. This trend has taken on a stable, sustained character over the past two years.
Scaling Up Export Deliveries
Rising demand for cybersecurity technologies in these regions, rapid digitalization, and tougher data protection requirements are making Russian solutions increasingly attractive. Many countries are shaping their own models of digital sovereignty, and Russian products – adaptive and flexible by design – are emerging as a viable alternative to Western offerings.
For Russia’s IT sector, this opens up new markets and strengthens the global footprint of domestic vendors. Russia benefits from growing technology exports and foreign currency revenues. At the same time, the global market gains from stronger competition and solutions better tailored to the needs of developing economies.
Key demand segments include government agencies, energy, oil and gas, telecom, finance, and critical infrastructure protection projects. For citizens, this translates into a higher level of security across essential services and systems.
Demand for Mature IT Products
Russian companies have significant potential to increase their market share across the Global South. To do so, they need to localize solutions to meet local requirements, work actively through partner networks, establish regional offices with expert teams, and participate in international IT exhibitions. Industry experts note that the post-2022 reorientation of IT and software exports toward the Global South has become a core growth driver for Russia’s entire IT export sector, laying a new foundation for its international expansion.
Three export scenarios are being considered: a baseline scenario with annual contract growth of 10–15%; an optimistic scenario involving entry into Asian and African public sectors with government support; and a conservative scenario with slower growth due to competition from China and Western vendors while maintaining current positions.
A key driver is the Global South’s push toward digital sovereignty and tighter cybersecurity regulation. This creates demand for mature IT products aligned with local standards. Russian cybersecurity solutions are gaining traction because their readiness level fully meets the requirements set by foreign regulators.
Sustained Interest From the CIS and Asia
Russian IT exports are recovering. After the downturn of 2022, volumes rebounded to nearly $6.5 billion in 2025, up from $5.9 billion in 2024. The positive momentum is linked to expansion into Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern markets. However, companies face intense competition, as well as currency and infrastructure barriers.
In the first half of 2025, Russian IT firms rapidly expanded their footprint across the Global South. Project volumes in these markets exceeded the full-year 2024 Global South total by 5–10%. The strongest demand is for cybersecurity, fintech, and govtech solutions. In the Middle East, priorities include digitalization, consulting, and e-government; Latin America is investing in digital infrastructure and cloud services; and Iran, Ethiopia, and Egypt have stepped up procurement of cybersecurity products.
In 2023, Positive Technologies launched several cybersecurity products internationally, including Max Patrol VM, a vulnerability detection and remediation management system. In 2024, the strongest demand was for PT Network Attack Discovery and PT Application Inspector. By 2026, the company plans to secure at least 5% of the endpoint protection market through its Max Patrol Endpoint Security concept.
The company Kod Bezopasnosti signed international agreements with partners in the UAE as early as 2017, forming an alliance with AlHosani Computer to enter Middle Eastern and African markets. Russian products are trusted in these regions, with the Middle Eastern market seen as larger and more promising than Latin America. Infosystems Jet operates offices in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, with projects in Uzbekistan including comprehensive outsourcing for Beeline Uzbekistan, technical support for Ucell and Mobiuz, and the launch of a new virtual mobile operator.
A Strategic Trend
Exports of Russian cybersecurity technologies to the Global South have evolved into a long-term strategic trend, reinforced by global digitalization and the development of national cybersecurity legislation. Key success factors for entering new markets remain deep product localization, reliance on local partners, and physical presence through regional offices.
Between 2026 and 2028, Russian vendors are expected to significantly strengthen their positions in government, energy, and financial sectors across Asia and Africa. International cooperation will increasingly focus on countries pursuing digital sovereignty, enabling Russian suppliers to substantially expand their overseas partner networks.
