Trusted Software: Why Developers Need Another Status from the Ministry of Digital Development

The Ministry of Digital Development is introducing a new 'trusted software' status, which significantly changes the rules of the game in public procurement. Being listed in the standard registry of Russian software may no longer be sufficient: if a solution with 'trusted' status participates in a tender, standard Russian products are treated as foreign, stripping them of procurement advantages. The new requirements affect not only the ownership structure of the developer company but also technical aspects: build rules, update release protocols, and vulnerability management procedures. These changes aim to improve information security in critical sectors. Developers must adapt their processes to these new standards to remain competitive amid tightening regulatory requirements. The 'trusted software' status is becoming a key tool for controlling supply chains and the quality of software products used in the public sector.