Joe Biden administration imposes sanctions on Kaspersky Lab executives
Date
6/23/2024 5:03:32 AM
(MENAFN) On Friday, the administration of US President Joe Biden imposed sanctions on 12 senior leaders at Kaspersky Lab, citing significant internet security risks. This action follows an earlier announcement to block the sale of the Russian company's antivirus software in the United States. The sanctions specifically targeted key figures within the company, including the chief business development officer, chief operating officer, legal officer, and head of corporate communications, among others.
Treasury Undersecretary Brian Nelson emphasized the administration's commitment to protecting American cyberspace and citizens from cyber threats in his statement. He highlighted that the sanctions against Kaspersky Lab's leadership are a crucial step in maintaining the integrity of the nation's digital infrastructure. In response, a Kaspersky spokesperson criticized the move as "unjustified and baseless," asserting that it would not impact the company's overall resilience since it did not target the parent company, its subsidiaries, or its CEO, Eugene Kaspersky. The company firmly denied any government affiliations or links between its officials and Russian military or intelligence agencies.
This strategic move by the Biden administration underscores its efforts to mitigate potential risks of Russian cyber attacks via Kaspersky's software while maintaining pressure on Moscow amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The sanctions come alongside an unprecedented ban, effective September 29, on the sales, resales, and software updates of Kaspersky products within the United States. The new classification, announced on Friday, prohibits American companies and citizens from engaging in financial transactions with the sanctioned executives and freezes any assets they hold in the US. These measures reflect the administration's broader strategy to eliminate cybersecurity threats and exert continued pressure on Russia.
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