Astra Group, PSB plan to create JV in information security
MOSCOW. Feb 19 (Interfax) - PJSC Astra Group (group companies are engaged in the development of infrastructure software, including the Astra Linux operating system) and PJSC Bank PSB plan to create a joint venture in the field of information security, according to a statement from the partners.
"The creation of a joint venture is a logical step in the implementation of our long-term strategy to form a full-fledged provider of services in the field of information security," the senior vice president and head of the Information Security Unit at PSB Dmitry Miklukho was quoted as saying. "After fine-tuning the service model on internal tasks [including on the bank's subsidiary structures], we plan to offer ready-made solutions to external customers, primarily our clients and partners, which corresponds to the long-term development strategy and creates additional value for the business."
The primary task of the JV will be creating and operating a platform for providing information security services, the statement said. It is also planned within the framework of the company that a line of specialized hardware and software systems will be developed and brought to market (the development of the hardware and software complex is being carried out in Astra Group), as well as a number of services to ensure the protection of critical information infrastructure.
"We plan to form a self-sufficient ecosystem capable of setting industry standards for cyber resilience, becoming a driver for the development of related areas and strengthening the position of Russian solutions in the high-tech segment," Astra Group Deputy General Director for Sales Andrei Klimov said.
Currently, Astra Group and PSB are not disclosing specific plans for creating the JV. The parties are only working out the details of the project.
"The agreement implies a phased implementation," the statement said. "At the first stage, the legal formalization of the organization and the integration of technological assets and expert methodologies for the subsequent full-scale launch of services are planned. At the second stage, specialists will be engaged in developing and adapting solutions for the external market, paying attention to the needs of strategically important customers."
At the end of last year, Ilya Sivtsev, the CEO of Astra Group, told Interfax that the company is considering the possibility of making major acquisitions of IT assets over the next few years.
"The market has matured to such large deals that can provide a corresponding effect for business development," he said. "Moreover, the options can be different - from purchases to the creation of a merged company."
Currently, within the group there is no separate structure specializing in the development of information security solutions. Group companies deal with various aspects of information security, from building secure software development to information protection mechanisms built into various products, as part of their core activities.
Astra Group's revenue amounted to 17.2 billion rubles in 2024 (+80%) and shipments stood at 20 billion rubles (+70%). EBITDA amounted to 6.6 billion rubles (59%), net profit was 6 billion rubles (66%) and adjusted net profit totaled 6.5 billion rubles (46%). In 2025, Astra Group's shipments increased 9% to 22 billion rubles.
PJSC Astra Group was formed in September 2023 from JSC Astra Group. The latter was created in 2021 to consolidate the group's companies. The reorganization was carried out in 2021-2022 and was completed in December 2022. Currently, the PJSC fully or partially owns more than 20 IT companies in Russia and Belarus.
PSB Bank is owned by the Russian state through the Federal Property Agency (Rosimushchestvo). PSB serves as the bank for servicing large government contracts and state defense orders. The bank ranked fifth in 2025 in terms of assets in the Interfax-100 ranking prepared by Interfax-CEA.
