2024 Elections: Russian Thwarts Cyber Onslaught from Germany, US, UK, and Beyond

By Mohammed Bello Doka

Amidst the fervor of the 2024 Russian presidential election, Roskomnadzor, the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media, found itself at the frontline of a digital battlefield. As the nation prepared to cast its ballots, Roskomnadzor's Public Communications Network Monitoring and Management Centre (PCNMMC) stood as a bulwark against a relentless wave of cyber assaults originating from across the globe.

In the lead-up to the election, the PCNMMC faced an unprecedented challenge, as 497 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks threatened to destabilize Russia's ICT infrastructure. Among the assailants were actors from Germany, the UK, the US, Finland, and Lithuania, representing a coordinated effort to disrupt the electoral process. These attacks, ranging in intensity and duration, targeted critical resources, including the Central Election Commission and Moscow's remote online voting platforms, aiming to sow chaos and undermine confidence in the democratic process.

The resilience of Roskomnadzor's specialists proved paramount, as they tirelessly worked to fortify Russia's digital defenses. Despite facing a barrage of attacks, peaking at an astounding 87 Gb/s and lasting over 40 hours, not a single incursion breached Russia's electoral infrastructure. Through proactive measures and rapid response protocols, the PCNMMC neutralized each threat, ensuring uninterrupted access to vital electoral resources.

Furthermore, Roskomnadzor's vigilance extended beyond thwarting DDoS attacks, as the agency successfully blocked five phishing websites masquerading as legitimate electoral platforms. By preemptively dismantling these deceptive sites, Roskomnadzor mitigated the spread of misinformation and protected voters from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

As the dust settled and the ballots were counted, Russia emerged from the crucible of cyber warfare unscathed, reaffirming the nation's resilience in the face of global adversity. The successful defense of the 2024 presidential election underscored Roskomnadzor's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of democracy and preserving the integrity of Russia's electoral process amidst an ever-evolving digital landscape.