The Italian government may limit the use of the Russian antivirus software in the public sector due to fears that antivirus products made by Russian companies could be abused to compromise key websites, Reuters reported.

Franco Gabrielli, the state undersecretary for security, told the Senate on March 15 that the government was working on rules to allow government organizations to ban software developed by Russia-based Kaspersky Lab.

According to sources, the new rules would allow public administrators to replace any software solutions deemed potentially dangerous without facing penalties. The new regulation could be approved as early as this week.

Kaspersky’s branch in Italy said that the company applied the highest standards of quality and transparency.

“We fully understand the doubts of the institutional partners in the light of the ongoing tragedy. We are available to anyone who wants technical clarifications or wants to examine us,” said Cesare D'Angelo, the general manager in Italy.

Italy's state cybersecurity agency said there was no evidence products provided by companies linked to Russia had been compromised since the Feb 24 invasion of Ukraine, although it warned that risks needed to be reassessed amid growing conflict.

The news comes after Germany’s computer and communication security agency warned against using Kaspersky antivirus software due to the risk of Russian cyberattacks.

Kaspersky called that announcement political and said it was a privately-managed company with no ties to the Russian government.

Cybersecurity Help’s statement on the critical situation in Ukraine

On February 24, people in many cities and towns across Ukraine woke up to the sounds of explosions and artillery fire, as the Russian Federation launched a full-scale invasion of the country. Such actions are unacceptable, political ambitions of any man aren’t worth of blood, tears, and destruction of millions of lives. We give our full support to the Ukrainian people in these hard times. No more war! Слава Україні!