Kaspersky Lab removed from US government's approved vendors list

[midian182]

Following allegations that its source code may have been compromised by the Russian government, Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab has been removed from two lists of approved vendors that can be used by US agencies.

Kaspersky Lab has been under scrutiny for its alleged close ties with Russian authorities for some time. CEO and cofounder Eugene Kaspersky was educated at a KGB-backed school and previously served at the intelligence organization.

Earlier this month, Kaspersky said he was willing to testify before Congress and turn over his company’s source code "to prove that we don't behave maliciously." But it seems that wasn’t enough for White House officials, who have removed Kaspersky Lab from the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Schedule 70 approved vendors list, as well as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Enterprise-Wide Procurement contract vehicle.

The action was taken "after review and careful consideration," and while agencies can still buy Kaspersky products purchased outside of the GSA contract process, the delisting indicates that the White House wants to discourage their use.

“GSA’s priorities are to ensure the integrity and security of U.S. government systems and networks and evaluate products and services available on our contracts using supply chain risk management processes,” GSA spokeswoman Donna Garland told Politico.

On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that Kaspersky has an especially close relationship with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), one of the intelligence agencies that allegedly attempted to influence the US election.

Kaspersky continues to insist that it "has never helped, nor will help, any government in the world with its cyberespionage efforts.” The firm said it had not received any updates from the GSA or any other U.S. government agency regarding its vendor status and believes it is "caught in the middle of a geopolitical fight where each side is attempting to use the company as a pawn in their political game."

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/70113-kaspersky-lab-removed-government-approved-vendor-list.html

 

[TheBigT42]

LOL Congress can't read a simple Bill much less source code

 

[Uncle Al]

It is surprising that it has taken so long for them to finally act; I'm guessing Donald Jr. couldn't work out a deal for a direct feed of information ........... no?

 

[stewi0001]

Besides my *eyeroll* at politics, did anyone else think Mark Hamill when they saw the article picture?

 

[Raytrace3D]

YES! That was my first thought. I was like, "What! Mark Hamill runs Kaspersky Labs?"

Besides my *eyeroll* at politics, did anyone else think Mark Hamill when they saw the article picture?

 

[SirDigby]

Besides my *eyeroll* at politics, did anyone else think Mark Hamill when they saw the article picture?

YES! That was my first thought. I was like, "What! Mark Hamill runs Kaspersky Labs?"

I 2nd this.

 

[TechnoSapien]

Besides my *eyeroll* at politics, did anyone else think Mark Hamill when they saw the article picture?

Same here. My initial reaction was: "Mark Hamill is involved in this? Are you joking?' Get it.. joking... Joker. MWUAHAHAHAAAA. :-|

 

[MoeJoe]

Kaspersky ... Kaepernick ...

Such fail.

 

[EClyde]

American Co. 1st

 

[wiyosaya]

I think this article is misleading in the sense that the GSA can act on its own and could have removed Kapersky from the list of approved vendors without any "input" from the current president.

 

[mbrowne5061]

American Co. 1st

Your options for American full-suite computer security software is as follows:
-Norton

End of list. Want to reconsider "American first" stance on software? Do you trust Norton that much?

 

[Kenrick]

Most computers of the government are running windows XP and ME. That is the main reason why Kaspersky was removed because of compatibility problem. We should treat this article a positive one! (/sarc)

 

[Tanstar]

Besides my *eyeroll* at politics, did anyone else think Mark Hamill when they saw the article picture?

I only clicked on the article to ask what Luke Skywalker has to do with Kasperky!

 

[wiyosaya]

American Co. 1st

Your options for American full-suite computer security software is as follows:
-Norton

End of list. Want to reconsider "American first" stance on software? Do you trust Norton that much?

All security software seems to produce false positives these days, so should we trust any of them?

 

[Reehahs]

Very intelligent move here, remove the consistently best performing product from the procurement process.

 

[tonylukac]

There are weird effects of its secure password fields like it keylogs passwords.

 

[EClyde]

Your options for American full-suite computer security software is as follows:
-Norton

End of list. Want to reconsider "American first" stance on software? Do you trust Norton that much?

Swat I use and Yes I trust it. So no me reconsider

 

[EClyde]

All security software seems to produce false positives these days, so should we trust any of them?

Completely? NO WAY

 

[captaincranky]

Besides my *eyeroll* at politics, did anyone else think Mark Hamill when they saw the article picture?

Well either Mark Hamill , or Vincent Donofrio:

Either that, or all middle aged white guys with facial hair look alike...

 

[psycros]

Remember how right up until Trump won all we ever heard from the Democrats was that our election was virtually un-hackable? You can't have it both ways, losers.

 

[stewi0001]

Well either Mark Hamill , or Vincent Donofrio:

Either that, or all middle aged white guys with facial hair look alike...

I'd definitely have to say that Vincent and Tom Colontonio look a like.

 

[wiyosaya]

Remember how right up until Trump won all we ever heard from the Democrats was that our election was virtually un-hackable? You can't have it both ways, losers.

Just shows how much lack of technical understanding there is by politicians on either side of the fence.