The Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media is on the defense, but not due to a hack.
The ministry absolutely denies that Russia's electronic summons register has any security flaws that could expose people' data to hackers.
“The data of users of the public services portal is securely protected. “It is impossible to hack the portal,” the ministry said in a statement, according to Russian news agency TASS.
Unless you've been living in the past, an electronic summons register is a government-run computerized system that sends out mandated reminders to citizens—usually for something exciting, such as military conscription.
Instead of a guy in uniform coming up at your door, you're summoned via this fancy online portal.
It's part of Russia's larger attempt to modernize its conscription system, which means they can now conscript you to serve your country with a few clicks.
Despite reports of system flaws, the ministry is convinced that its beloved e-summons site is more secure than a Soviet-era bunker.
According to them, it's not just wishful thinking; they claim to have added various complementary security measures, as if this isn't common procedure.
The ministry assures the public that there is no evidence to imply that their system has been corrupted, yet faith is cheap when there is no proof of failure.
And it's not just the ministry stating it. Rostelecom, the corporation that developed the information system, is doubling down on its security assurances.
They have your back—or, at the very least, your data—secured with SMS-based two-factor authentication.
Only citizens who go through the unified state information system's hoops (including SMS confirmation) can access the e-summons register.
Rostelecom swears that this is enough to keep any malicious hackers from accessing your personal information.
What's all the buzz about? President Vladimir Putin has issued an order that military conscription will be administered through a sparkling new, unified military registration register beginning in the autumn of 2024.
Unfortunately, this wonderful technological marvel won't be completely operational until 2025.
It appears that creating the future necessitates time, material expenditures, and—dare we say it—patience.
For the time being, Russian citizens must trust that their data is secure and not in the hands of an eager hacker.