The U.S. Commerce Department has announced a significant move to ban Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab's cybersecurity and antivirus software sales in the United States starting next month. This unprecedented decision marks a strong stance against a foreign-owned security vendor due to fears of potential coercion by adversarial governments.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated, "This action is crucial to safeguarding American interests and protecting personal data." The ban will take effect on July 20 and prohibit Kaspersky Lab from selling antivirus and cybersecurity software products to U.S. customers. Current users of Kaspersky Lab products in the U.S. can use the software until September 29, after which they will no longer receive updates.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will assist critical infrastructure organizations in transitioning to alternative security solutions before the deadline. The Commerce Department has also added three Kaspersky-connected entities to its sanctions list: AO Kaspersky Lab, OOO Kaspersky Group, and Kaspersky Labs Limited.
Kaspersky Lab is a global leader in antivirus software, serving 270,000 corporate clients worldwide. However, U.S. officials have long harboured concerns that the company could be compelled to share user data with the Russian government, potentially aiding in cyber espionage operations. The U.S. government previously banned Kaspersky Lab products from federal systems in 2017. In response, Kaspersky Lab has contested the ban legally and relocated some of its data storage from Russia to Switzerland to alleviate security concerns.
Despite these efforts, Kaspersky Lab maintains a significant U.S. customer base, including critical infrastructure organizations and state and local governments. A senior Commerce official noted that the exact number of U.S. customers remains confidential, but the recent investigation highlighted ongoing security risks associated with Kaspersky’s operations.
The new ban follows an investigation and utilizes authorities granted by a 2019 executive order. The Commerce Department formalized the regulation to implement this order in November 2021. Raimondo emphasized the ban's necessity, citing Russia's offensive cyber capabilities and the potential for influence over Kaspersky's operations. "To protect Americans and their data, we must take this significant measure," she stated.
In a statement, Kaspersky Lab expressed its intent to pursue all legal avenues to maintain its operations and partnerships. The company insisted that it does not engage in activities threatening U.S. national security and criticized the decision as being influenced by geopolitical tensions rather than an objective evaluation of their products.
The U.S. government anticipates that Russia will not be surprised by this decision but is prepared for any potential retaliation. This ban highlights the growing tension between national security and international business in the tech industry. By prioritizing national security, the U.S. aims to protect its infrastructure and citizen data from potential foreign threats, setting a precedent for handling cybersecurity risks associated with foreign entities.
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