Kaspersky denies being a security threat following US ban on the cybersecurity firm

21 June 2024 , 20:53

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Kaspersky denies being a security threat following US ban on the cybersecurity firm

The Commerce Department on Friday barred US companies from using computer security products from Kaspersky Lab, the Russian company whose products are widely used in the United States

The US Commerce Department has slapped a ban on Kaspersky’s software, citing national security risks, but the cybersecurity firm has hit back, denying it poses any threat.

The Moscow-based company, led by Russian chief executive Eugene Kaspersky, insists that the American government’s decision is based on "geopolitical climate and theoretical concerns" rather than concrete evidence. Despite the ban, Kaspersky remains confident in its ability to continue offering cyber security products and training in the States. 

Kaspersky has been under scrutiny due to its Russian roots, with the US government arguing that the firm’s ties to Russia could make it an "undue or unacceptable risk to US national security or the safety and security."

The Commerce Department pointed out that as a Russian resident and citizen, Eugene Kaspersky is bound by Russian law, which could potentially compromise sensitive data of US citizens. In a detailed response, Kaspersky challenged the initial findings of the US investigation, but the Commerce Department maintained that their ban was justified after reviewing the objections. 

They expressed concerns that Kaspersky’s software could be manipulated to detect and expose sensitive information to Russian authorities. "The risks to US national security addressed in this Final Determination stem not from whether Kaspersky’s products are effective at identifying viruses and other malware, but whether they can be used strategically to cause harm to the United States," the firm stated.

Kaspersky is renowned for its popular consumer antivirus products and a research unit lauded for regularly unmasking elite hacking groups. In 2019, The news agency, Associated Press, discovered that an undercover operative had set their sights on numerous cybersecurity experts in an evident attempt to procure intelligence regarding critics of Kaspersky. 

Kaspersky asserts that it cannot intentionally acquire sensitive information about Americans, and that only aggregate or statistical data unattributable to a specific individual can be accessed by its operations and staff located in Russia. It said that the principal impact of the US government’s decision would be to aid cybercrime while concurrently reducing consumer and organisational freedom to select their preferred cyber protection.

"We look forward to what the future holds, and will continue to defend ourselves against actions that seek to unfairly harm our reputation and commercial interests," the firm commented.

Elizabeth Baker