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TECHx
a day ago
- Business
- TECHx
Positive Hack Days Explores Cybersecurity Cooperation
Home » Emerging technologies » Cyber Security » Positive Hack Days Explores Cybersecurity Cooperation The international cybersecurity festival, Positive Hack Days (PHDays Fest), took place from May 22 to 24 in Moscow. Hosted by Positive Technologies, a leader in result-driven cybersecurity, the event was held at the Luzhniki sports complex. It was supported by the Ministry of Digital Development of Russia. The Moscow Government also acted as a strategic partner, alongside the Department of Information Technology and the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development. This year's edition marked the largest PHDays Fest since its inception in 2011. Over 150,000 people attended in person, while more than 180,000 tuned in online. The event featured 270 talks across 26 tracks, with over 500 speakers including cybersecurity experts, software developers, ethical hackers, and senior IT leaders. Delegates from more than 40 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East participated. They discussed how nations can achieve digital sovereignty and cybersecurity resilience. Key questions included whether countries can independently train cybersecurity specialists and maintain resilience without foreign support. Geopolitical tensions have highlighted the risks of dependency on global tech giants. According to speakers, overreliance on large vendors can threaten a country's digital sovereignty. Since 2022, Russia has responded by accelerating the development of domestic technologies and solutions. This strategy has allowed the country to maintain digital independence and security. At PHDays Fest, Positive Technologies announced a new initiative focused on international technological cooperation. The company revealed a concept that encourages mutual knowledge exchange between nations and businesses, rather than dependence on imported cybersecurity solutions. Russian experts supported the idea, and it was well received by foreign delegates. Positive Technologies reported its willingness to take a leadership role in this initiative. The company plans to openly share its expertise developed over two decades. Its specialists are ready to help friendly countries secure critical facilities and sectors. The vendor will also mentor and train cybersecurity professionals through international programs. Positive Technologies launched a global training program in 2024 The company supports cybersecurity capacity building in Gulf countries Participants agreed that collaboration, not isolation, is key to building a secure digital future. As Maksut Shadayev, Russia's Minister of Digital Development, explained, digital sovereignty means ensuring national security and user protection regardless of external pressure. Ambassador Eduardo Villegas Megías of Mexico pointed out that even programming languages like Python reinforce dependency due to language barriers. Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev added that energy is a vulnerable sector and requires robust cybersecurity, especially during digital transformation. Ahmed Mustafa Al-Issawi of Qatar emphasized the need for international exchange. He noted that Qatar is emerging as a tech hub, and scholarships enable students to study cybersecurity abroad, including in Russia. Several sessions at PHDays Fest focused on the need for joint development of secure digital architectures and filling gaps in cybersecurity education. Ali Azzam, Vice President of Mideast Communication Systems, called the event a valuable opportunity for knowledge-sharing. He encouraged more Egyptian participation, noting the applicability of insights to Middle Eastern industries. Denis Baranov, CEO of Positive Technologies, stated that new technologies are used by both professionals and criminals. He said cybersecurity experts must help society safely navigate digital change. Ruslan Rakhmetov, CEO of Security Vision, stressed that Russian companies should pursue global cooperation, not isolation. He highlighted the role of integrators in representing national interests abroad. Cybercrime was also a major theme. Danil Filippov from the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that half of Russia's cybercrimes are committed remotely. Elman Mekhtiyev of the Bank of Russia noted that AI will soon eliminate language barriers, increasing cross-border attacks. Kazakhstan's experience was highlighted as a model, with initiatives like data breach response systems and public digital literacy programs. Egor Khalilov of F6 proposed an anti-fraud center with risk ratings for market participants. Milos Wagner from Roskomnadzor advocated for a preventive approach to regulation, noting that inspections now follow confirmed data breaches. The evolving role of CISOs was another key topic. Experts shared that today's cybersecurity leaders must also manage business risks. Speakers from banks in Jordan, the UAE, and Cuba said understanding executive language and processes is essential for modern CISOs. Positive Technologies signed multiple agreements during the forum. Group joined forces with the company to promote Russian cybersecurity software in the banking sector. The FinTech Association also partnered with Positive Technologies to support safe innovation in finance. In Indonesia, four institutions signed memorandums with the company to enhance cybersecurity education. The company announced the second season of Positive Hack Camp, an international program for practical training in Moscow this July. The cyberfestival also featured the 15th edition of the Standoff cyberbattle. More than 40 teams from 18 countries participated. The Russian team DreamTeam won the competition for a record seventh time. The open-access zone included Cybercity and a popular science area with hands-on tech demonstrations. Guests learned about cybersecurity careers, AI, scams, and tech startups. The event ended with a concert under the open sky, featuring performances by Uma2rman, Minaeva, and GRUNGE. Positive Hack Days 2024 underscored that global cybersecurity challenges require shared solutions and strategic development.
Russia Today
3 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Sovereignty and anti-fraud efforts highlighted at Moscow cyber conference
Delegations from 40 countries gathered in Moscow last week for an annual cybersecurity conference to explore ways to reduce reliance on Big Tech and address the rise of AI-assisted fraud. This year's Positive Hack Days Festival, known as PHDays Fest, was the largest since the event began in 2011, according to the organizers. Over three days, about 150,000 people attended the Luzhniki venue in person, while more than 180,000 joined panels virtually. Initially launched by Russian cybersecurity firm Positive Technologies, the event has grown into a global forum attracting government officials and industry leaders. Among the 2025 forum's international speakers were Mexican Ambassador to Russia Eduardo Megias and Ahmed Mustafa Al-Issawi, an aide to the owner of Qatar-based Al Adid Business Foundation. Digital sovereignty was a central theme of the conference. Organizers highlighted Russia's response to being cut off from Western tech services after the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. Yury Maksimov, the billionaire founder and former CEO of Positive Technologies, advocated for a shift away from what he called the 'authoritarianism' of major software developers. Smaller firms, he said, struggle to compete in the current environment, but could flourish under a knowledge-sharing model. By teaching clients to manage their own cybersecurity, companies can foster global expertise and network-based advantages, he argued. Cybercrime was also a key focus. Danil Filippov, a senior official with Russia's Interior Ministry, said that roughly half of all crimes the take place in the country, ranging from financial fraud to terrorist incitement, are initiated abroad. Criminals are rapidly adopting advanced tools, said Elman Mekhtiev, a consumer protection consultant to the Bank of Russia. He warned that advancements in real-time translation software powered by artificial intelligence will soon erase language barriers for cybercriminals. The event featured a cyberwarfare championship, where more than 40 hacker teams competed in simulated attacks on critical infrastructure. Attendees also had the chance to experience 'Fraud Roulette,' which connects suspected phone scammers with volunteers willing to waste their time. The project, developed by T-bank, recorded 617 phone calls lasting more than 10 hours in total during the live demonstration at the fest. Those efforts alone cost fraudsters an estimated $1,600 in lost revenue, organizers said.
Russia Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
International cyberbattle champions crowned at hack fest in Moscow
A multinational team of cybersecurity experts called DreamTeam has triumphed in the Standoff 15 cyberbattle as part of the Positive Hack Days (PHDays Fest) festival in Moscow. The third iteration of the annual PHDays Fest was held at the Russian capital's Luzhniki Olympic Complex from Thursday to Saturday, attracting thousands of visitors from Russia and over 40 countries across Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. This year's event focused on the growing role of technology in daily life. The program featured more than 500 speakers, including top Russian officials and senior figures from domestic tech and infrastructure firms. One of the main highlights of the festival was the Standoff 15 competition for cybersecurity professionals, in which more than 40 teams from 18 countries – including France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Serbia, Vietnam, Tunisia, Oman, and the UAE – fought for a prize pool of $50,000. Red Teams of white hackers – experts who use their hacking skills to identify security vulnerabilities in hardware, software, or networks – had to score points by breaching the infrastructure of a simulated virtual country in areas such as metallurgy, energy, oil and gas, banking, urban environment, aviation, and logistics. The Blue Teams of cybersecurity specialists had to investigate and mitigate those hacks. The main prize of $20,000 eventually went to DreamTeam, which scored 195,388 points. FR13NDS & RHACKERS (127,466 points) and Dataeli&only_f4st (103,870 points) took second and third places, respectively. This marks the seventh victory in the Standoff for DreamTeam since it was established in 2019. 'The teams will be able to apply the experience gained in the cyberbattle to protect their companies in their daily work,' the organizers of the PHDays Fest said in a statement.
