Russian cyber security specialist NII SOKB has opened a data center in Moscow, dedicated exclusively to cloud-based security services.

The 240 square meter facility, promoted under the new ‘SafeDC’ brand, will host products from both NII SOKB and its partners, available through security-as-a-service model.

The data center was designed to Tier III standards and has been certified to handle sensitive Russian government data. It is being positioned as a launchpad for smaller cyber security businesses, helping them enter new markets and diversify product offerings.

From Russia, with love

NII SOKB (in Russian, short for Scientific and Testing Institute for Integrated Security Systems) specializes in physical security and software security, with a focus on Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environments.

It enjoys a close relationship with state-owned Gazprom - certifying hardware for one of the world’s largest natuaral gas companies, something that is reflected on its logo.

In 2013, NII SOKB became the first company in Russia to develop and sell its own mobile device management (MDM) software. Now, the company is getting its own infrastructure, with a data center next to the Kaluzhskaya metro station in Moscow.

The facility took three years to build. It benefits from direct links to the Moscow Internet Exchange (MSK-IX) and is based on Lenovo Flex System hardware. At the moment SafeDC can host 60 racks of IT equipment, but the space could be doubled in a future expansion.

In line with its security credentials, SafeDC claims to be safe from dust, flooding, fires, cave-ins and break-ins – and physical security of the racks is ensured by using specialist Lampertz cabinets.

The cost of the project stands at more than 100 million rubles ($1.76m). According to CEO Igor Klayda, the company hopes to recoup this investment in the next 4-5 years.

Partners that have already signed up to offer their services from SafeDC include Qualys, SkyBox, SafeTech and a number of Russian software vendors.