Australia has officially prohibited the deployment of Kaspersky security software across government systems
citing significant cybersecurity threats, including foreign interference, espionage, and sabotage.
Stephanie Foster PSM, Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, stated that a comprehensive threat and risk analysis concluded that Kaspersky Lab’s products pose an "unacceptable security risk" to government networks and sensitive data. She emphasized concerns over the company’s extensive data collection practices and the potential exposure of this information to extrajudicial directives from foreign entities, which may conflict with Australian cybersecurity regulations.
Under directive 002-2025, issued on Friday, all government agencies must remove Kaspersky software from their systems by April 1, 2025, and are barred from installing any new instances. While exemptions may be granted for specific law enforcement and compliance functions, they must be time-restricted and supported by risk mitigation measures.
This decision aligns with recent actions by the U.S. government, which in June 2024 banned Kaspersky from selling its products in the country or issuing security updates. Following the ruling, the Russian cybersecurity firm withdrew from the U.S. market in July 2024.
Australia’s ban underscores a growing global trend of national security-driven restrictions on foreign cybersecurity providers, particularly those linked to jurisdictions with heightened geopolitical tensions.
