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Kaspersky Antivirus: Kremlin Ties Raise Alarms

Posted: August 22, 2017 to Cybersecurity.

Tags: Data Breach, Compliance, Digital Forensics

"There is a connection between Kaspersky and Russian intelligence, and I'm absolutely certain that Russian intelligence would want to use that connection to their advantage." "I don't use Kaspersky Lab products... I would not [advise my family to use it]." Those quotes are from former deputy director of the CIA Michael Morell and Trump administration cybersecurity coordinator Rob Joyce, respectively, each of whom was interviewed by CBS. US officials are warning that the FBI has discussed suspected ties between Kaspersky Labs' popular antivirus software(it's installed on over 400 million computers around the globe) and the Kremlin, saying the cybersecurity firm has ties to the Russian government. The federal government currently doesn't allow Kaspersky to be used on their computers, but there's no such restriction with any of the lower levels of government. As evidence, the US is pointing to Mr. Kaspersky himself. Eugene Kaspersky graduated from a computer school with ties to Russian intelligence before serving in the Russian Ministry of Defense. The counterargument is that most computer schools probably have ties to the Russian intelligence community in one way or another. Another suspicious piece of evidence, however, is that Kaspersky Labs is registered with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB, B because the acronym is for the Russian title of the security and counterintelligence agency). Kaspersky Labs, meanwhile, denies any ties with the Russian government and maintains that they would not help any government to spy on its users.

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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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