Australia Bans Kaspersky Software Over National Security and Espionage Concerns
Feb 24, 2025
Software Security / Data Protection
Australia has become the latest country to ban the installation of security software from Russian company Kaspersky, citing national security concerns. "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," Stephanie Foster PSM, the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, said . "I have also considered the important need for a strong policy signal to critical infrastructure and other Australian governments regarding the unacceptable security risk associated with the use of Kaspersky Lab, Inc. products and web services." Foster further pointed out that entities are responsible for managing the risks arising from Kaspersky's extensive collection of user data and exposure of that data to extrajudicial di...