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Kaspersky Lab: A National Security Threat Since 2004

Posted: November 20, 2017 to Cybersecurity.

Tags: Data Breach, Malware, Cloud Security

Do you remember about three months ago when there was talk that Kaspersky Lab may be in cahoots with the Kremlin? It was pretty shocking at the time, and it was a pretty big deal when the Department of Homeland Security decided it was a credible enough threat that they told government agencies they should stop using the popular antivirus software. As it turns out, Kaspersky's been suspected for a lot longer than a few months. It turns out that the Defense Intelligence Agency raised concerns back in 2004, according to a memo circulating among members of the Science, Space and Technology Committee.  The memo, originally sent by Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, cites a Pentagon email from November of that year where it's mentioned that they started doing threat reports on Kaspersky. They also investigated the Russia-based cybersecurity firm in 2012. The Pentagon is said to have stopped using Kaspersky themselves a few years ago, but wasn't able to provide a specific date. The government's fears may be well-founded, despite denial from Kaspersky Labs. A recent report suggests that Russian spies may have used Kaspersky to hack US intelligence. Kaspersky has around 400 million users worldwide.

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About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

CMMC-RP NC Licensed DFE MIT Certified CompTIA Security+ Expert Witness 15+ Books
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