The Synergy Effect: RTU MIREA and Bi.Zone Launch Cyberattack Defense Lab
Russia’s RTU MIREA (Moscow Technological University) and cybersecurity company Bi.Zone have opened a new lab where students and researchers can simulate cyberattacks and practice defense methods. The facility is designed for hands-on learning through seminars, workshops, hackathons, and training exercises on digital threats and system protection.
Building Practical Skills
The initiative aims to strengthen cybersecurity training, immerse students in real-world security challenges, and expand the university’s research infrastructure. Students gain practical experience in demand on the job market, as well as opportunities to compete in contests, hackathons, Capture the Flag challenges, and applied projects.
The project also enhances the educational foundation in cybersecurity and improves workforce training by deepening ties with industry. The lab is equipped with modern hardware and software. This academic year, students are expected to participate in Bi.Zone’s real projects, while faculty will take part in professional development programs.
Scaling to Other Universities
In the long run, the program could expand into graduate and postgraduate curricula, and become integrated into national educational initiatives in cybersecurity. The lab may also support research projects in partnership with industry and government agencies.
The concept could be replicated at other universities through collaborations with private companies. The initiative has export potential: Russian expertise, training methods, and tools may attract international partners, particularly in regions lacking robust practical cybersecurity training.
Similar Initiatives
A close example is Innopolis University’s “InnoCyberPolygon,” a lab created in 2023 with 16 industry partners. It focuses on cyber exercises, vulnerability testing, and skills development, serving students from different universities and IT professionals.
Another example is the federal project “Cybersecurity Workforce Development” on the digital.gov.ru platform, aimed at strengthening the pipeline of security specialists. This aligns with the government’s broader emphasis on building cyber talent, a goal echoed by the RTU MIREA lab.
The National Project “Workforce for the Digital Economy,” launched in 2021, also supports training in IT specialties, digital competencies, and cybersecurity disciplines. Programs under this initiative often include state-backed funding and discounts, creating fertile ground for cybersecurity labs like MIREA’s.
Talent Magnets
The RTU MIREA lab is part of a larger government strategy to boost cybersecurity competencies, national security, and the digital economy.
Such labs will grow in significance as cyber threats intensify, especially against critical infrastructure, government agencies, and large corporations.
Looking ahead, these labs could serve as talent magnets, fostering collaboration between universities, businesses, and government bodies. Training will become more practice-oriented, with real-world datasets, test infrastructures, and frequent hackathons. Export of training methods and programs is possible, as is collaboration with foreign universities and participation in international research grants.
Projects like this increase Russia’s overall readiness to counter cyber threats, build a skilled workforce in a critical sector, and reduce reliance on foreign solutions in security infrastructure. In the global context, cybersecurity demands collaboration, and Russian labs and experts could contribute to international standards and projects.
