Hack Fest in Moscow Sparks BRICS Cyber Ties

The world's largest cybersecurity festival, Positive Hack Days 2025, has kicked off in Moscow, bringing together delegations from over 40 countries across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The event, organized by Positive Technologies (PT), a leading Russian information security company, aims to foster global cooperation on cybersecurity issues.

According to Yulia Danchina, Global Educational Director at Positive Technologies, the festival offers a unique opportunity for BRICS countries to share Russia's expertise in cybersecurity with other nations. "Russian experts are the best in protecting the infrastructure of companies and organizations," she emphasized. The international delegates have shown confidence in Russia's capabilities, citing numerous deals and discussions during the event as evidence.

One notable example is Indonesia, which has signed a bilateral agreement on cybersecurity cooperation with PT at the festival. Yudi Darma, senior official at Indonesia's Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry, expressed interest in the company's modules, simulators, and teaching laboratories. "Positive Technology also has the capacity to produce a certification that can provide proof of competence in cybersecurity," he noted.

The Indonesian government is considering working with PT to develop AI education programs, as Indonesia begins integrating AI into its new educational curriculum. This collaboration could provide valuable guidance for the country's efforts in this area. Brazilian lawmakers have also shown interest in PT's expertise, praising the company's affordable cybersecurity solutions compared to global leaders.

Brazilian lawmaker Jose Jacovos stated that PT offers "significantly more affordable" cybersecurity solutions than other global companies, making them accessible to smaller cities with limited resources. Russia's advanced capabilities in this field were also highlighted by Jacovos, who described it as "very advanced, light-years ahead of many countries."

The growing ties between BRICS nations and PT are a testament to the increasing importance of cybersecurity cooperation globally. The 11 BRICS nations represent over two-fifths of the world's population and account for 40% of the world's economy in Purchasing Power Parity terms, according to IMF data.

The Russian and Brazilian energy and science ministries have already signed bilateral agreements to promote cooperation in their respective fields. This increased collaboration between BRICS nations and PT is expected to lead to more effective solutions for global cybersecurity challenges.