HSE University Establishes Cybersecurity Department

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The HSE University Moscow Tikhonov Institute of Electronics and Mathematics (MIEM) has established a new Department of Cybersecurity. This move consolidates MIEM’s educational, scientific, and expert resources in information and computer security, expands its portfolio of educational programmes, strengthens partnerships with industry leaders, and enhances HSE’s position as a leading centre of cybersecurity competence.

Cybersecurity is developing rapidly. Cyber attacks on Russia’s critical information infrastructure have intensified, and information warfare has escalated. The exit of Western companies from the Russian market has created opportunities for domestic firms, though these are accompanied by obvious challenges—namely, a shortage of personnel and a technological backlog in several areas.

HSE MIEM has accumulated unique expertise in information and cybersecurity. The Institute runs five educational programmes at all levels (bachelor’s, specialist, and master’s degree), with approximately 1,200 students currently enrolled. These programmes are delivered by two departments and a Joint Department with InfoWatch.

The establishment of the Cybersecurity Department will allow the Institute to concentrate its accumulated expertise in one centre, upgrade collaboration with industrial partners—leading vendors and employers, —and focus more on strengthening priority research areas. It will eliminate the duplication of solved tasks and expand the portfolio of educational programmes for both higher and continuing education.

The new department will be headed by Oleg Evsyutin, Head of the Department of Cyber-Physical Systems Information Security and Academic Supervisor of the master’s programmes Information Security and Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Cybersecurity. Specialists from three departments—the Department of Cyber-Physical Systems Information Security, the Department of Computer Security, and the Joint Department with InfoWatch—will join the new department’s faculty and staff.

Dmitry Kovalenko

HSE University Vice Rector and Director of MIEM

‘The creation of the Cybersecurity Department is a natural step in the development of information security at MIEM. Ten to fifteen years ago, cybersecurity was a specialised technical area, but today it has become a strategic priority for business and government. The scale of the industry has changed: we are witnessing a massive increase in demand for personnel and research. MIEM has always been one of the leading universities in the information security segment. We have strong specialists, expertise, research groups, and an effective educational process. However, the new scale of the challenges we face requires structural changes. I am confident that the consolidated department, headed by Oleg Evsyutin, will help HSE University assume a leading position in the field of cybersecurity in Russia.’

The department will initially focus on reviewing the content of existing educational programmes with the involvement of expert practitioners from leading specialised organisations. New programmes will also be launched in cooperation with major technology and financial companies.

A key research task is to consolidate the efforts of HSE MIEM’s leading specialists, project teams, and research groups engaged in fundamental and applied work. Primary focus areas will include: the development of cryptographic information security systems (such as quantum and post-quantum cryptography and those using supercomputer methods); steganographic methods and digital watermarking; advanced wireless and quantum communication networks; automated information security systems; protection methods for the credit and financial sector; computer incident investigation systems; and artificial intelligence protection systems.

This last area has become particularly relevant, as information security tools are now being created using artificial intelligence technologies, which themselves require protection. Consequently, HSE University will launch a new Master’s Programme in Information Security of Artificial Intelligence Systems in 2026. This programme will be delivered entirely online.

Below is a list of educational programmes in information and cybersecurity currently offered by MIEM.

Bachelor’s programmes:

 Information Security

Specialist programmes:

 Cyber Security

Master’s programmes:

 Information Security and Artificial Intelligence Technologies

 Cybersecurity

 Information Security in the Financial Sector

 Information Security of Artificial Intelligence Systems (new programme, first intake in 2026)

The Department will also create a portfolio of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes for both specialists and senior managers, covering topics such as information security methodologies, personal data protection, and secure development skills. These new CPD programmes will be delivered in partnership with leading experts and relevant organisations.

Oleg Evsyutin

Head of the Cybersecurity Department

‘Our primary and most ambitious task is to strengthen HSE University’s position as a leading centre of excellence in information security. This means prioritising partnership in education, science, and applied research with industry leaders. We already have an impressive list of partners with whom we engage in numerous collaborations. Internally at HSE, we cooperate with the Joint Department with the Bank of Russia, the Faculty of Computer Science, and the Information Security Centre. Externally, we actively work with the Academy of Cryptography of the Russian Federation, the Bank of Russia and major banks, the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, the Netology educational platform, and leading information security companies such as InfoWatch, Positive Technologies, Solar, Infotecs, and many others. We plan to develop our educational and scientific cooperation further with both trusted partners and new high-tech companies.’