Russia Is Developing A Digital Twin Of A Government Institution With The Aim Of Simulating And Responding To Cyberattacks

This development represents a virtual environment for testing methods of protection against cyberattacks on smart devices, messaging applications and banking services, as well as training cybersecurity specialists.

TASS reported, citing a statement from the center, that this system allows simulating a wide range of threats, starting from targeted attacks on SMS messages and messaging applications, through hacking bank accounts, to complex attacks on institutional and industrial services that contain confidential information.

Andrei Chechulin, head of the International Center for Cybersecurity at the center, said: “We have created a complex that includes different types of the organization’s digital infrastructure, which is as close as possible to real administrative digital systems, which allows testing various attack response measures and examining new software and methodological protection solutions in near-realistic conditions.”

The digital model includes four main types of infrastructure commonly targeted by cybercriminals:

• Complete banking systemWith a portal for services, user data, accounts, transfers, and issuance of certificates.

• Department for mobile communicationsIncludes messaging and SMS applications.

• A true copy of a scientific research institutionAllows the theft of sensitive technologies to be simulated.

• SCADA systemFor an oil company, similar to the system used in real organizations for data monitoring and control.

Scientists also created a system to simulate the behavior of digital employees, where they correspond, program, and exchange money and data as in reality.

This digital twin forms the base for an “electronic arena” used to hold national competitions between teams of senior cybersecurity specialists within the activities of the GIS DAYS 2025 Forum, which promotes practical training and testing of new solutions in a safe and realistic environment.

Source: TASS