Australian Government Refrains from Using Kaspersky Due to Security Risks

• Kaspersky software will no longer be used by the Australian government following new directives.
• Due to perceived security risks, the country’s officials are to remove all Kaspersky products in one month.
• The Russian anti-virus provider expressed its disappointment with the decision. 

Australia has become the latest country to prohibit the use of Kaspersky software within its government, citing unacceptable security risks. Officials are required to remove all Kaspersky software from government systems and devices by April 1.

The directive, issued by Australia's Department of Home Affairs, bars government agencies from using products or services by the Russian cybersecurity firm.  

Stephanie Foster, the secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, stated: “After considering 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 arising from threats of foreign interference, espionage, and sabotage.”  

This decision aligns Australia with other members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance—Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom—that have already restricted or banned Kaspersky software.  

Kaspersky, in response, expressed its disappointment with Australia’s move. Stefan Rojacher, a spokesperson for the company, said that the directive was issued “without any warning or opportunity for engagement” to address the government’s concerns.  

The ban mirrors recent global trends. The U.S. imposed a nationwide ban on Kaspersky software in mid-2024, encouraging citizens to switch to alternative anti-malware providers. The ban was instated over alleged ties to the Russian government – allegations the company has consistently refuted.

The software company later announced its departure from the U.S. and began scaling back operations in other countries like the U.K.  

Kaspersky’s challenges highlight increasing scrutiny towards foreign technology providers amidst national security concerns. This move by Australia signals its ongoing efforts to secure sensitive government data from potential cyber risks.