Gov bans Kaspersky from its systems and devices

The government has banned the use of Kaspersky Labs' software on federal devices. 

The Department of Home Affairs issued a mandatory direction [pdf] “to prevent the installation of Kaspersky Lab products and web services from all Australian government systems and devices” on February 21.

The direction, made under the protective security policy framework (PSPF), also requires federal entities to remove “all instances” of Kaspersky’s products.

Home Affairs secretary Stephanie Foster assessed that Kaspersky software "poses an unacceptable security risk to Australian government, networks and data, arising from threats of foreign interference, espionage and sabotage."

“I also considered the important need for a strong policy signal to critical infrastructure and other Australian governments regarding the unacceptable security risk associated with the use of Kaspersky Lab products and web services.”

All traces of Kaspersky need to be wiped by April 1 this year. 

The move comes six months after the United States government banned the sale of Kaspersky software in North America. 

The move also coincides with a raft of sanctions issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs on February 24 against Russia.

The sanctions, which cover 149 entities and individuals, come in conjunction with a ban on the supply of Russian commercial drones and components.