Breakthrough technologies and the expertise of Russian companies will help other countries build result-driven cybersecurity and navigate the talent shortage
The second Positive Hack Days international cyberfestival, held on May 23–26 in Moscow's Luzhniki Olympic Complex, saw a significant surge in international participation, taking the event to new heights. The event attracted an unprecedented number of international guests, including representatives from government bodies, international organizations and companies, as well as cybersecurity experts and specialists. Participants highlighted that automation in the field of cybersecurity will enable countries to build result-driven cybersecurity strategies, and emphasized the importance of Russian experience and cooperation with local partners in protecting digital sovereignty.
"The rapid advancements in our industry have been staggering, and Russia is poised to become a leader in cybersecurity within the next 3–5 years," said Denis Baranov, CEO of Positive Technologies, during the plenary session at PHDays Fest 2.
This year, the business segment of the cyberfestival attracted around 200 international attendees from 17 countries spanning Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Denis Baranov encouraged international attendees to capitalize on the expertise of Positive Technologies and other Russian companies to establish their own cybersecurity sectors and collaboratively foster the growth of the global cybersecurity community.
"In recent years, Russia has grappled with a critical challenge—safeguarding our nation against strategic threats in the digital space. We have successfully withstood the onslaught of cyberattacks because, for many years, we have invested in testing the cyber resilience of our organizations," Denis Baranov emphasized.
Maxim Filippov, Deputy CEO of Positive Technologies, noted that many countries seek control over the technologies they use to protect their infrastructure.
"Positive Technologies aims to expand its international presence by partnering with local companies who will integrate our products with their expertise, and eventually develop their own technologies. This is how we will contribute to ensuring cyber sovereignty, a basic right of every citizen and state," noted Maxim Filippov.
At a press conference dedicated to international cooperation in the field of cybersecurity, Evgeniya Popova, Director of International Business Development at Positive Technologies, highlighted that over the past year, Russia has achieved something major in cybersecurity—a technological breakthrough in automating cyberthreat response centers.
"We've transformed security operations centers with our innovative automated solution, the MaxPatrol O2 metaproduct, which minimizes the need for human intervention. This cutting-edge tool not only automatically detects threats and stops hackers but also operates effectively with fewer personnel. In Russia and across our global partner network, MaxPatrol O2 will showcase how to safeguard infrastructure and stay technologically ahead—without the decade-long training typically required for cybersecurity experts," she said.
Evgeniya Popova highlighted that the company has recently revised its strategy for international cooperation, pinpointing fresh areas of focus. She emphasized that advancing innovative perspectives requires learning from one another, sharing knowledge about local threats, and studying cybersecurity regulations. This way, Positive Technologies can establish common ground and foster the trust needed for successful operations in international markets.
Professor Bell Bitjoka Georges, a cybersecurity expert from the Republic of Cameroon, emphasized that given the shortage of qualified cybersecurity personnel, education and the exchange of experiences with Russian companies are crucial.
"Our Russian colleagues possess invaluable cybersecurity experience that they can share with us. This collaboration benefits everyone, as cybercrime knows no borders. Education is key. With competent partners worldwide, we can easily exchange knowledge and collectively address cybersecurity challenges," the expert emphasized.
At the roundtable "Cybersecurity sovereignty: industry and national level," officials and experts from African and Asian countries gathered to discuss the crucial role of education, personnel development, and expertise in bolstering cybersecurity. Artem Sychev, advisor to the CEO of Positive Technologies and the discussion moderator, concluded that the participants view education and information exchange as vital drivers in the development of cybersecurity. He pointed out that while technology may vary between nations, the need for cooperation in developing cybersecurity expertise will eventually become crucial.
On May 25, PHDays Fest 2 and the Hack In The Box information security conference joined forces to host a joint event in Bangkok. For one day, eight renowned security researchers from Russia, China, Thailand, the Philippines, the UAE, and Lebanon gathered at an offline venue in Thailand's capital to discuss the most pressing cybersecurity issues. The guests and spectators of the cyberfestival had the chance to follow the performances from Bangkok via the live stream.
In the 13th edition of the Standoff cyberbattle, a diverse group of international attacking teams participated, representing various countries including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Iran, and France. For the first time, the Russian defenders were joined by the Cyber1000 team from Malaysia.
