Kaspersky Lab to Shut Down U.S. Operations Amid Sanctions
Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab has announced it will begin shutting down its U.S. operations on July 20, 2024. This decision follows recent sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of Commerce, which have rendered the company’s business in the U.S. “no longer viable.”
Impact on Employees and Operations
Kaspersky confirmed that the closure will lead to the layoff of its U.S.-based employees, affecting fewer than 50 individuals. The company will gradually wind down its operations and eliminate U.S.-based positions.
Sanctions and Security Concerns
The sanctions, announced on June 21, 2024, targeted twelve Kaspersky Lab executives, freezing their U.S. assets and restricting access to them. The Department of Commerce also added AO Kaspersky Lab, OOO Kaspersky Group (Russia), and Kaspersky Labs Limited (United Kingdom) to its Entity List, effectively prohibiting U.S. businesses from engaging with these entities.
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National Security Risks
The Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS) stated that the decision was based on a thorough investigation, concluding that Kaspersky’s operations in the U.S. posed a national security risk due to the potential influence of the Russian government over the company’s activities. The BIS highlighted that no mitigation measures short of a total prohibition could address these risks.
Sales Ban and Software Updates
In a related move, the BIS banned Kaspersky from selling its software and delivering antivirus updates in the U.S., effective September 29, 2024. This ban aims to mitigate potential cybersecurity risks to U.S. national security.
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Kaspersky’s Response
Kaspersky Lab expressed regret over the decision, stating that the sanctions have made its business operations in the U.S. untenable. The company emphasized that it has carefully evaluated the impact of the U.S. legal requirements and determined that continuing operations was no longer feasible.
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Source: bleepingcomputer.com
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