Australia is the latest country to ban government officials from using software created by Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky, claiming that the software poses “unacceptable security risks.”
Last week, Australia's Department of Home Affairs issued an order banning agencies from installing Kaspersky products or web services in official systems or devices, citing national security risks. Government agencies will need to remove all existing instances of Kaspersky software on government systems and devices until April 1st.
“After considering the threat and risk analysis, I have determined that the use of Kaspersky Lab products and web services poses an unacceptable security risk to government networks and data resulting from the threat of foreign interference, espionage and sabotage. “I did,” said Stephanie Foster, secretary secretary of Australia's secretary, Home Office, in the order.
With this move, Australia will become the latest member of five Eyes Intelligence agreements to announce restrictions on Kaspersky software and announce participation in Canada, the UK and the US.
In June 2024, the US announced a nationwide ban on Kaspersky software, urging them to use the software to switch to another anti-malware provider. The Russian software maker said the following month that US businesses would leave the country forever, saying they “no longer feasible.”
Kaspersky announced plans to close its UK operations last year, telling TechCrunch in October that it will “start dubbing its UK office operations and reorient its domestic business towards partner channels.”
Kaspersky's spokesman did not respond to TechCrunch's request for comment.