Print Page   |   Sign In   |   Register
IAMU Informer
Blog Home All Blogs

IAMU Highly Recommends Phasing Out Kaspersky Lab Products as Soon as Possible

Posted By IAMU, Wednesday, September 20, 2017

In July, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) removed Kaspersky Lab from its list of approved vendors for information technology products and services out of concerns that the Russian company might be used by the Russian government to exploit or attack American computer networks. In September, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a directive, following an investigation into the matter, which called for all Executive Branch agencies to cease using Kaspersky Lab products and services; considering the fact that Russian law allows for Russian intelligence agencies to compel assistance from Russian companies to “intercept communications transiting Russian networks…” On Monday, the U.S. Senate voted to remove all Kaspersky Lab products from U.S. government systems within 90 days, as part of the “FY-18 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)”.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is about to issue an official alert to all electric service providers about Kaspersky Lab products and services. Other regulatory entities for other industries managing critical infrastructure throughout the U.S. will soon follow. It is the official IAMU position that our members begin to develop plans to phase out all Kaspersky Lab products and replace them with American equivalents as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact Russell Saffell, Director of Member Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection at rsaffell@iamu.org or by phone at (515) 289-1999. Thank you for your continued efforts to provide and protect municipal utility services in Iowa.

Tags:  Cyber Security  GSA  Kaspersky Lab  NERC 

PermalinkComments (0)
 

Cyber Security Alert - Federal Government Removes Kaspersky Lab From Approved Vendor List

Posted By IAMU, Tuesday, July 25, 2017

In a recent article in the Washington Post it has been reported that the federal government has removed Kaspersky Lab from their approved vendor list. 

In the article they identify numerous local governments that may have this software protecting their systems and therefore may be vulnerable to compromise. The article states “those systems, while not necessarily protecting critical infrastructure, can be targeted by hackers because they provide access to troves of sensitive information.” 

If this software is used to protect critical systems such as electric, water or gas utility control systems that may be a concern in light of this change in federal government policy.

Read the Washington Post article here.

Tags:  Anti-Virus  Cyber Security  GSA  Kaspersky  Security Software 

PermalinkComments (0)
 
Membership Software Powered by YourMembership  ::  Legal