The US Department of Trade is once again looking into the use of more severe measures against Kaspersky Laboratory, a Moscow-based cybersecurity company. According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the measures may include targeted bans on the company’s software in computer networks that control critical infrastructure. The potential introduction of such a ban is tricky due to uncertainties about the distribution of Kaspersky products in US networks and the risk of unforeseen consequences.
The US Ministry of Education did not comment on any specific potential actions against the company but expressed its commitment to protecting the confidential data of US citizens. The Ministry is also revising internet security rules aimed at preventing espionage and misinformation from technologies and internet services in potentially hostile countries, including Russia and China.
Kaspersky Lab itself has repeatedly denied any collaboration with governments for cyber espionage or other malicious cyber activities. The Biden administration had considered the possibility of imposing sanctions on the Russian company a year ago. The US, Germany, and other Western countries had claimed that Kaspersky Laboratory could be used to surveil clients. US intelligence services are concerned about the antivirus software’s privileged access to confidential data and the ability to intervene in the US critical infrastructure’s work.