On Thursday, the United States announced a ban on the sale of anti-virus software produced by the Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky Labs. launch From the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Ministry of Commerce. The alleged close ties between Kaspersky and the Russian government turned out to be a major risk. The program’s privileged access to US computer systems could allow Russian actors to steal sensitive information, install malware, or block critical updates. Sources told Reuters Before the official announcement.
The Russian cybersecurity company has been struggling to restore its international reputation ever since The United States has banned Kaspersky from federal government computers In 2017. At the time, hackers reportedly used Kaspersky software to do this Theft of sensitive NSA documentsRussian agents were said to be using the software as a personal backdoor. Nearly seven years later, Biden is using sweeping powers created by the Trump administration to ban him nationwide. Along with the ban, the Biden administration is adding Kaspersky to the list of trade restrictions, which could further hamper its reputation and international sales.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced the restrictions in a press call with reporters on Thursday. Raimondo said that the ban was “the first of its kind” and that it came as a result of a comprehensive investigation into the company’s relations with Russia.
He added: “Russia has demonstrated repeatedly that it has the ability and intent to exploit Russian companies, such as Kaspersky Lab, to collect sensitive American information and use it as a weapon, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect American national security and the American people.” Raimondo said in the press release
New Kaspersky sales will be blocked in the US after 30 days. After 100 days (September 29), the restrictions will also prevent downloading software updates, reselling, and licensing the product. Products that integrate Kaspersky into their software, but are sold under a different brand, will also be banned.
Kaspersky has spent the past seven years denying any ties to the Russian government. CEO, Eugene Kaspersky, at one point He offered to hand over his company’s source code To the United States government. These efforts did little to gain the trust of any government official.
Kaspersky reportedly has more than 220,000 business customers in 200 countries, and lists Volkswagen as one of its largest customers on its website. The antivirus software company operates in Massachusetts.
In 2019, the story around Kaspersky deepened when A A leading researcher was convicted by a Russian court In the company on charges of treason to the interests of the United States. Ruslan Stoyanov, former head of Kaspersky Labs’ computer incident investigation team, is serving a 14-year prison sentence.
The authority Biden is using to ban Kaspersky is a relatively new power of the executive branch. Former President Donald Trump tried to use the same power to ban Americans from using Chinese social media platforms TikTok and WeChat, but was blocked by federal courts. In this case, and this is the case, the executive branch is theoretically permitted to block or restrict technology coming from “foreign adversary” countries.