The Biden administration is issuing a total ban on the use of a Russian-backed cybersecurity software in the United States due to the Russian government’s alleged influence operations over the software, the U.S. Commerce Department announced on Thursday.
Kaspersky Lab’s software has been a concern of U.S. government officials since at least 2017. Under Russian law, their government has total access to Kaspersky systems and therefore has access to the data of all of its customers, U.S. officials say.
“Russia has shown it has the capacity, and even more than that, the intent to exploit Russian companies like Kaspersky to collect and weaponize the personal information of Americans,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told reporters on a call on Thursday.
Raimondo said the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security was able to ban Kaspersky under its new authorities.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo speaks at the Mackinac Policy Conference in Mackinac Island, Mich., May 30, 2024.
Andrew Roth/Sipa USA via AP
Kaspersky “has long raised national security concerns” and it was banned from several government systems as far back as 2017, Raimondo said. She added that “while we’ve been exploring every option at our disposal, we ultimately decided that given the Russian government’s continued offensive cyber capabilities and capacity to influence Kaspersky’s operations, that we had to take the significant measure of a full prohibition if we’re going to protect Americans and their personal data.”
After July 20, Kaspersky is prohibited from entering into any new agreements inside the U.S. under the new ban. Kaspersky can provide existing customers with cyber and antivirus software until Sept. 29, but after that “Kaspersky will not be able to provide security updates.” Software services will “degrade,” the rule says.
Kaspersky has opened a new Transparency Centre on October 04, 2022 in Utrecht, Netherlands.
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Raimondo said she wanted to make clear that Americans and U.S. businesses who continue to use existing Kaspersky products will not be breaking the law, but they will not be able to update their products as of Sept. 30. “I would encourage you in the strongest possible terms to immediately stop using that software and switch to an alternative in order to protect yourself, your data, and your family,” the commerce secretary said.
ABC News previously reported on the government’s concerns about Kaspersky. The head of Kaspersky Lab, Eugene Kaspersky, at the time denied Russia’s influence on the software company.
In an interview with ABC News in 2017, Kapersky called U.S. government warnings about his company “wrong advice” and said that “rumors about our partnership with government agencies [are] false.”
In a significant move to protect national security, the US government has recently banned the use of Russian cybersecurity software due to the threat of influence operations. This decision comes amid growing concerns about Russia’s involvement in cyber attacks and interference in democratic processes around the world.
The ban specifically targets popular Russian antivirus software such as Kaspersky Lab, which has been widely used by government agencies and businesses in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security cited concerns that the software could be used by the Russian government to conduct espionage and gather sensitive information.
The decision to ban Russian cybersecurity software is part of a broader effort to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data from foreign interference. In recent years, Russia has been accused of using cyber attacks to disrupt elections, steal intellectual property, and sow discord in Western countries.
The ban on Russian cybersecurity software is also a response to the growing threat of influence operations, where foreign actors use social media and other online platforms to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion. By using antivirus software developed by Russian companies, the US government fears that sensitive information could be compromised and used to further Russia’s strategic goals.
While the ban may inconvenience some users who rely on Russian cybersecurity software for protection, it is a necessary step to safeguard national security and prevent foreign interference in US affairs. The government has advised users to switch to alternative antivirus solutions from trusted vendors to ensure their data remains secure.
In conclusion, the ban on Russian cybersecurity software is a proactive measure to protect against the threat of influence operations and espionage. By taking this step, the US government is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate foreign interference in its cybersecurity infrastructure. It is crucial for individuals and organizations to heed this warning and take steps to secure their data from potential threats.
