Australia has become the latest country to take action against the use of Kaspersky software, issuing a nationwide ban on its installation across government agencies. The decision was announced on February 17, 2025.
The directive, issued by Stephanie Foster, Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, mandates that all government entities cease the use of Kaspersky Lab products and services. The ban follows a comprehensive threat and risk assessment, which concluded that Kaspersky products posed an unacceptable security risk to Australian government networks and data.
In the official document, Foster explained that the decision was based on the potential for foreign interference, espionage, and sabotage.
As part of the directive, all government entities are required to remove any existing Kaspersky software or web services from their systems by April 1, 2025. Additionally, they must implement measures to prevent future installations of the software. The Department of Home Affairs will oversee compliance with the mandate, with agencies required to report their progress in meeting the directive.
This action follows a similar move in the United States, where, in June 2024, Kaspersky was banned from selling its products and providing updates to existing customers. The US government also cited national security concerns, specifically fears that the Russian government could potentially exploit Kaspersky's products for espionage or cyberattacks.