Communication networks deployed against drones

Roskomnadzor will assess the preparedness of telecom operators for accidents – from damage to backbone networks to the destruction of structures “during the period of martial law.” In particular, the security of storage of fuels and lubricants and the presence of anti-drone protection will be assessed. If the latter is not available, its installation will need to be scheduled. According to Kommersant, large operators have already begun developing similar plans after the May attack of drones on the MTS infrastructure in Krasnodar.

Kommersant got acquainted with the methodological recommendations of Roskomnadzor on organizing counteraction to threats to the operation of structures and communication lines.

• According to the document, the territorial bodies of the department must, together with “significant telecom operators,” model the latter’s readiness for the destruction of key structures, damage to trunk communication lines and a complete power outage.
• For each scenario, a plan will be developed to ensure security and restore networks, “including during the period of martial law.”

I was the first to notice the document. Telegram channel “OrderCom”.

It is planned to assess the readiness of operators for emergency situations, including whether the fuels and lubricants stored at the facilities are protected and whether anti-drone systems are installed. The Roskomnadzor document separately notes: if there are no systems, their implementation “must be taken into account in the action plan.” A list of significant operators is compiled for each region, including based on the number of government and socially important facilities connected to the networks. Mobile operators and owners of their own communication lines are declared significant regardless of other criteria.

According to the document, working groups that will include representatives of operators, Roskomnadzor and “interested authorities” should simulate accidents. MTS, VimpelCom, MegaFon and Tele2 declined to comment. Roskomnadzor, Rostelecom, Miranda-Media, Voentelecom and +7Telecom did not respond.

Kommersant’s interlocutor at one of the Big Four operators confirms that they received recommendations from the regulator. The point is for companies to develop a procedure in case of attacks on their infrastructure, he explains: “An example is the May drone attack on the MTS infrastructure in Krasnodar, which called short-term operator failure.”

According to the interlocutor, the task of the operators is to ensure that if the infrastructure of one is damaged due to an attack, the others “intercept its subscribers and ensure communication.”

Requirements for anti-drone protection of infrastructure look reasonable for facilities that occupy significant areas, believes Alexey Boyko, an analyst on the specialized Telegram channel abloud62: “Speaking of communication facilities, this may be more applicable to data processing centers (DPCs) and backbone communication nodes, but not to individual base stations (BS).”

Mr. Boyko considers it inappropriate to equip each BS with drone suppression systems, both because of their number and density, and because of the interference that protection systems can create in the operation of the equipment. Such protection, according to the expert, is relevant for cellular communication towers in remote areas, which are the only specialized facility there: “But if we are talking about at least tens of thousands of objects, the cost of purchasing and installing systems can be an unbearable burden for telecom operators.”

The Ministry of Digital Development discussed issues of protecting communication infrastructure with data center market participants, a Kommersant source in one of the specialized companies says: “In the summer, even before drones hit According to Moscow City, there was a meeting during which methods of protecting data centers were discussed. “We talked about both anti-drone guns and physical protection of buildings.” However, he adds, by the end of the summer, data center owners became less concerned about this issue. On the evening of September 21, the ministry did not respond to the request.

Obligations to ensure the sustainability of communication networks are already spelled out in the requirements for critical information infrastructure facilities (CII), noted Dmitry Galushko, president of the Association of Small Telecom Operators: “But a number of operators that are considered significant at the regional level may neglect them.” He linked the actions of Roskomnadzor with attacks on facilities that are carried out in border regions: “The agency will “gently” force to equip communication facilities with anti-drone systems.” Mr. Galushko, however, believes that regional departments will limit themselves to “paper checks,” that is, requests for plans and reports.

Yuri Litvinenko, Nikita Korolev