UserGate NGFW Deployed to Secure Russia’s Unified Energy System

Russia’s Unified Energy System Operator (AO “SO UES”) has implemented UserGate’s Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) to protect its network infrastructure, replacing foreign solutions amid sanctions-driven localization efforts. The deployment, executed in partnership with system integrator “Traektoriya Tekhnologiy,” covers central offices and over 50 regional branches, ensuring compliance with FSTEC certification and centralized management via UserGate Management Center (UGMC).¹

Technical Implementation and Scope

The project focused on securing network perimeters with UserGate NGFW 7.3, released in March 2025. Key features include SSL inspection, SIEM integration, and role-based access controls. Traffic filtering for inbound/outbound connections and real-time monitoring via event logs were prioritized to meet the energy grid’s 24/7 operational demands.¹ The solution’s FSTEC certification aligns with Russia’s import-substitution mandates, critical for SO UES’s management of wholesale electricity markets and grid operations.³

Compliance and Industry Context

UserGate’s NGFW addresses the need for domestic alternatives in critical infrastructure following sanctions. The Ministry of Digital Development (Magadan Oblast) and federal security operator “Tsezar Satellit” have also adopted UserGate’s ecosystem.² The SUMMA platform integration highlights scalability for geographically dispersed facilities.⁴

Relevance to Security Professionals

The deployment underscores the shift toward localized cybersecurity solutions in high-risk sectors. For network defenders, UserGate’s centralized management and threat detection capabilities (IDS/IPS, VPN) provide a case study in large-scale infrastructure hardening. Red teams may note the emphasis on SSL inspection evasion and role-based access bypass testing.

Remediation and Best Practices

Organizations with similar compliance requirements should:

Audit legacy firewall configurations for unpatched vulnerabilities
Implement granular traffic logging to detect bypass attempts
Validate SIEM integration for anomaly detection

This deployment reflects broader trends in critical infrastructure security, combining regulatory compliance with operational resilience. Future developments may include deeper SUMMA ecosystem integration across Russian state entities.