After other countries, Australia also steps in against Kaspersky, deeming it a security risk. In the latest move, Australia bans all government sectors from running Kaspersky products on their systems.
Australia Bans Kaspersky From Running On Government Systems, Citing Security Concerns
According to a recent policy framework from the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs, Kaspersky products seemingly pose a security threat. Following the intel and advice from technical authorities, government entities in Australia should avoid running Kaspersky products as the government bans the firm’s services.
As stated, using products and web services from Kaspersky Lab Inc. risks Australian government systems networks to espionage and intrusion. According to Stephanie Foster, PSM Secretary, Department of Home Affairs,
After considering threat and risk analysis, I have determined that the use of Kaspersky Lab, Inc. products and web services by Australian Government entities poses an unacceptable security risk to Australian Government, networks and data, arising from threats of foreign interference, espionage and sabotage.
Given the threat, the government decided to ban the use of all Kaspersky products and services from government devices immediately. The authorities also deemed it important to devise a dedicated security policy framework highlighting the “unacceptable security risk associated with using Kaspersky Lab, Inc. products and web services.”
In this regard, the government requires all entities to remove all Kaspersky-affiliated installations from the systems and networks. Once done, government organizations should report the compliance to the Department of Home Affairs’ Commonwealth Security Policy Branch and avoid similar installations in the future.
This policy applies to all entities subject to Australia’s Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). Devices counted in government systems include all government and authorized non-government-issued mobile phones, handheld computers, tablets, laptops, and personal digital assistants.
Australia isn’t the first country to implement such a regulation. Kaspersky has long been a controversial entity given its Russian linkages. Following such security reports, the US and Canada have also banned Kaspersky products and services from government devices, citing security risks. Kaspersky also faced trouble promoting its products on social media as the US authorities blocked Kaspersky ads on Twitter.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
