The role of cryptography in ensuring cybersecurity and protecting information about technologies of strategic and advanced development in the context of protection of sci-tech achievements in the BRICS countries

The subject of this research is the role of cryptography in ensuring cybersecurity and protecting information about technologies of strategic and advanced development in the context of protection of sci-tech achievements in the BRICS countries. The relevance of the selected topic is substantiated by the fact that modern countries, for example, the founder of computer industry – the United States along with the BRICS member-states, realize the importance and practical significance of cryptography in different spheres (military, civil) and aim to develop the means and systems of information security, establishing legal regulation for various aspect of its application. Such approach needs elaboration on the development and implementation of cryptography from the perspective of supranational and international law. It is determined that the currently used encryption methods are essentially based on the methods that use special mathematical algorithms built in computer software. Such methods are a substantial  but surmountable obstacle for acquiring copyright and patent protection. The examined legal orders evolve by encouraging the development of national cryptographic and software systems, and ensuring its protection by patent law under certain conditions and based on a number of principles that are taken into account in national legislation of the BRICS countries. Correlation of the effectiveness of ensuring information security using only patented encryption or with application of additional protection based on the provisions on commercial secret, demonstrated futility of using the latter. From the perspective of international (or supranational) law, cryptographic software is controlled within the framework of international agreements on distribution of technical data, military and dual-purpose products.