Kaspersky Labthe renowned Russia-based cybersecurity firm, has announced the Closing of its US divisionwhich will result in the dismissal of all its employees in the country.
This decision comes after the US Department of Commerce bans Kaspersky software sales as of July 20, 2024, a move that marks the end of the company’s commercial operations in the United States.
The ban came after an exhaustive investigation by the Department of Commerce, which expressed national security concernsThere are fears that the Russian government could use Kaspersky software to spy on American customers or sabotage critical systems. Despite Kaspersky’s initial intention to fight the ban in court, the company has decided to comply, recognizing that business opportunities in the United States are no longer viable.
Impact on employees and the market
Kaspersky confirmed that The closure will affect fewer than 50 employees in the United Stateswho will receive compensation although the details of these agreements have not been disclosed. The company stressed that its decision was “sad and difficult” and responded to the new legal requirements of the United States.
The U.S. Commerce Department justified the ban by concerns about potential misuse of the software by the Russian government. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized the Russian government’s ability to influence Kaspersky’s operations and the need to protect Americans’ personal data. Although no concrete evidence was presented that Kaspersky’s software had been used for espionage, the ban reflects caution about the potential risks.
This ban adds to previous restrictions, such as the ban on the use of Kaspersky software in federal government and military systems. of the United States, established in 2017 and 2018 respectively. However, these previous restrictions did not affect trading systems, which has changed with the new measure of the Department of Commerce.
Kaspersky’s history and future in the United States
Kaspersky has had a significant presence in the US market since 2005.when it began selling its software products independently in the country. Its growth was accelerated by an aggressive marketing strategy and attractive offers. Before the ban, sales in the United States accounted for about 10% of the company’s global revenue, which reached $721 million in the last year.
The ban not only affects new software sales, but also prevents Kaspersky from providing updates for already installed software on US systems starting September 29, 2024. This means that over time, Kaspersky software will become less effective at detecting new threats, forcing users to look for alternative solutions.
In addition, the Department of Commerce has placed three Kaspersky entities on its trade restrictions list, prohibiting US vendors from doing business with the Russian company. Although current users of Kaspersky software will not face legal penalties for continuing to use it, authorities strongly recommend switching to other solutions to better protect their data.
Reactions and perspectives
Kaspersky has criticized the decision of the Department of Commercearguing that it is based on theoretical concerns and the current geopolitical climate, rather than a thorough assessment of the integrity of its products and services. The company has repeatedly denied allegations that its software could be used for espionage.
The closure of Kaspersky’s US division and the resulting layoffs represent a significant chapter in the history of global cybersecurity and raise questions about the Balancing national security and competition in the technology marketWith tensions between the US and Russia on the rise, we are likely to see more such measures in the future, affecting other tech companies with international ties.
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