Kaspersky Lab
Australia has officially banned the use of Kaspersky Lab products in government systems and on official devices. On February 21, the country’s Department of Home Affairs issued a directive mandating the complete removal of the company’s software from all governmental networks.
The prohibition has been enacted as part of a broader national security strategy. In a statement, Home Affairs Minister Stephanie Foster emphasized that Kaspersky’s software poses an “unacceptable risk” to Australian government entities, citing potential threats such as foreign interference, cyber espionage, and sabotage.
The directive stipulates that all removals must be finalized by April 1. According to the ministry, this decision is intended to send a clear message to Australia’s critical infrastructure operators and other government institutions, underscoring the inadmissibility of utilizing Kaspersky products.
Australia’s restrictions follow similar actions taken by the United States six months earlier, where a comprehensive ban on Kaspersky’s software sales was introduced in June 2024.
Additionally, the Australian government has imposed sanctions on 149 Russian individuals and legal entities, alongside prohibiting the import of Russian commercial drones and their components.
In an era of escalating cyber threats and intensifying global digital competition, nations are increasingly prioritizing the security of their information systems—often leading to restrictive measures against foreign technologies. Unfortunately, such prohibitions frequently become entangled in political agendas, potentially hindering international cooperation and eroding mutual trust in the technological sphere.
