Founded in Russia, Cyberus, an international cybersecurity development company, and Al-Adid Business signed a strategic partnership agreement to develop cybersecurity capabilities in Qatar, the company said in a press release.

“The establishment of Cyberdom Qatar and Hackademy highlights a growing trend in tackling modern day challenges of the digital world through joint efforts, international cooperation and cross-border exchange of expertise. In partnership with Al-Adid Business, we aim to cultivate local talent and reinforce Qatar’s cybersecurity infrastructure. Cyberdom Qatar is set to become one of the key hubs for cybersecurity professionals and companies in the region,” said Andrey Bardizh, managing director of the Cyberus Foundation and head of the export division.

The partners will establish Cyberdom Qatar, a comprehensive cybersecurity hub, and Hackademy, a specialised cybersecurity training academy. The initiative is intended to empower Qatari youth, cultivate homegrown digital expertise, and strengthen Qatar’s national cybersecurity infrastructure.

“Cyberdom is a unique project that brings together the cybersecurity community, society, business and government. It serves as a central hub for the development of Qatar’s tech industry and acts as its global ambassador on the international stage,” the company said.

Among the project’s goals are to create:

• a permanent venue for innovation and collaboration;
• infrastructure for training, simulation and cyber-drills;
• exhibition and demo zones for cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies;
• startup incubator and co-working areas;
• spaces for hosting local and international cybersecurity events.

“Collaboration with the Cyberus Foundation is part of Cyberdom’s international expansion strategy. The new Cyberdom in Qatar will reflect the local cultural context, incorporate best practices from the Moscow hub, and, together with other Cyberdoms, form a unified network aimed at advancing the industry, technologies, and an outcome-driven approach to cybersecurity across the globe,” emphasizes Sergey Kalmykov, CEO of Cyberdom.

From l-r: Andrey Bardizh, managing director of the Cyberus Foundation and head of the export division; Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Al-Issawi, investment director of Al-Adid Business; and Sergey Kalmykov, CEO of Cyberdom.

Hackademy

Within Cyberdom Qatar, Hackademy will set up as a practical training centre aimed at developing essential cybersecurity skills. The academy will feature interactive labs simulating real-world cyber-threats and comprehensive certification programmes tailored for government officials, students and private-sector professionals.

“Cyberus and Al-Adid Business will jointly localise and deliver cybersecurity education aligned with Qatar’s national priorities. Educational content will be customised for various target groups, including government officials, students and private sector professionals,” the company said.

Cyberus is an international cybersecurity development foundation that unites technology developers, businesses and governmental entities to create an innovative, effective result-oriented approach to cybersecurity. The company develops cybersecurity products and essential technologies, facilitating the export of cybersecurity solutions worldwide.

"Digital sovereignty is a strategic priority for Qatar. The joint project with the Cyberus Foundation will strengthen national cyber-defence capabilities to train highly skilled professionals for a sustainable digital future for the country,” said Dr. Ahmed Mustafa Al-Issawi, investment director of Al-Adid Business.

Cyberus was founded by a group of private investors from IT and cybersecurity industries in 2022, led by Yury Vladimirovich Maksimov, who made his fortune in Russia and was listed among Forbes World's billionaires in July 2024, with a net worth of $1.2bn.

Born on in Fryazino, Moscow Oblast, USSR, Maksimov studied physics at Moscow State University, where he developed software for modelling and analysing information transmission systems. In 2002, Maksimov co-founded Positive Technologies alongside his brother Dmitry and Evgeny Kireev, which grew rapidly, establishing offices in countries including the UK, Italy, South Korea, India, the UAE, Tunisia and the US.

In December 2021, the company became the first Russian cybersecurity firm to go public, listing on the Moscow Exchange. He is recognised as one of the few Russian billionaires listed in Forbes who have amassed their fortune purely from developing software.

Cyberus remains active in Russia and recently recruited industry leaders to enhance collaboration with government agencies. In February 2025, the foundation appointed Sergei Belyakov, former managing director of Ozon, to oversee strategic projects and government relations. Belyakov said that cybersecurity is now integral to national security and sovereign IT development.

Additionally, Cyberus acquired key assets from the Russian cybersecurity firm F.A.C.C.T. (formerly Group-IB in Russia) in late 2024 which were integrated into F6, a newly established cybersecurity company.  This acquisition included technologies, intellectual property, and contracts, aiming to establish a new company focused on combating cybercrime and providing services to Russia-aligned foreign partners.

In April 2025, it signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to enhance cybersecurity among member states. The agreement focuses on protecting critical infrastructure, training specialists, and improving cybersecurity legislation.