Inside Cyber Warfare - Jeffrey Carr [141]
Russian Federation Ministry of Communications and Mass Communications (Minsvyaz)
Minsvyaz is not considered a Russian power ministry because its portfolio covers unclassified public networks. Nevertheless, Minsvyaz—included on the Security Council’s Interdepartmental Committee on Information Security—works with law enforcement agencies and the security services to suppress political dissent on public networks. Its regulatory body, Roskomnadzor, is particularly useful because it can suppress dissent through administrative actions that carry less baggage than a security service visit.
Presidential Decree No. 724 in May 2008 established Minsvyaz’s current structure and responsibilities. Minsvyaz is responsible for developing and implementing government policy and regulations covering:
Information technology (including state information technology for public access)
Telecommunications (including the use of radio frequency spectrum) and postal services
Mass communications and media, including electronic media (Internet, television [including digital], radio broadcasting, and new technologies)
Publishing and printing
Processing of personal data
Minsvyaz exercises these responsibilities through several subordinate agencies:
Federal Communications Agency (Rossvyaz)
Responsible for managing state property, providing public telecommunication and postal services, and developing communication networks, satellite communications systems, television broadcasting, and radio broadcasting.
Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communications (Rospechat)
Responsible for providing public services and managing state property in print media and mass communications, including computer networks, electronic media, and publishing and printing.
Federal Service for Supervision in Telecommunications, Information Technology and Mass Communications (Roskomnadzor)
Responsible for compliance and supervision of the media—including electronic, mass media, and information technology—and for processing of personal data and managing the radio frequency spectrum. See the next section, , for more information.
Federal State Unitary Enterprise Scientific Technical Center (FGUP STC) Atlas
Responsible for developing and certifying information security and cryptographic technology for the government.[105]
Federal State Unitary Enterprise (FGUP) Communication-Security
Responsible for information security of communication systems used by the government and others by contract.
Federal State Unitary Enterprise (FGUP) Research Institute Sunrise
Responsible for system integration and development of major federal automated information systems, including systems for special applications.
Roskomnadzor
Roskomnadzor issues licenses for telecommunications services, information technology services, and media operations. Roskomnadzor also monitors Russian media for compliance with the Federal Law On Mass Media. Roskomnadzor’s website (www.rsoc.ru) lists enforcement actions against media organizations. The majority of enforcement actions concern media violations of Article 4, which forbids media incitement or justification of terrorist activity. However, the prohibition includes a nebulous category of “other extremist materials.” Enforcement details show most Article 4 violations result from the media questioning government statements concerning terrorist events. Because Article 4 violations can lead to license revocation, Roskomnadzor can suppress political dissent through administrative action.
Roskomnadzor’s posted enforcement actions history is mainly directed against traditional print and broadcast media. However, amendments made in 2006 and 2007 extend the Federal Law On Mass Media’s reach to the Internet. Article 4 now covers “information in computer files and programs.” Article 24 defines any Internet site receiving one thousand visits as mass media subject to the law. The Russian press points out that this makes popular Internet forums and social media sites “mass media,” subjecting journalists