U.S. Intelligence Reviewing Government Use of Kaspersky Software

U.S. intelligence chiefs have announced they are reviewing the government’s use of Kaspersky Lab software over concerns the Kremlin may use the Moscow-based company to infiltrate or infect U.S. computer networks. Kaspersky specializes in cybersecurity and anti-virus protection. At a Senate committee Thursday, National Security Agency Director Mike Rogers said he was “personally involved” in the review, though he gave no further details. Defense Intelligence Agency Director Vincent Stewart said that while his agency did not use Kaspersky software, there are concerns that independent contractors may use software from the Russian company. The heads of the NSA, FBI, CIA, and DIA all said they would not feel comfortable using Kaspersky software in the current political climate. Media reports this week said fears have arisen in the U.S. intelligence community about Moscow possibly using the Russian technology company’s software to conduct espionage, an allegation that Kaspersky has denied. The company issued a statement stressing that it “has no ties to any government, and the company has never helped, nor will help, any government in the world with its cyberespionage efforts.”