Kaspersky Antivirus Prohibited on Australian Government Systems

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has issued a directive banning the use of Kaspersky Lab products on federal government devices. This move, intended to send a strong policy signal to critical infrastructure and other Australian governments, comes in light of the unacceptable security risk associated with the use of these Russian cyber security firm's products and web services.

Home Affairs Secretary Stephanie Foster issued the directive, known as PSPF Direction 002-2025, under the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF), on February 17, 2025. The directive bans Australian Government entities from installing Kaspersky Lab products and web services on government systems and devices.

The security risk arises from threats of foreign interference, espionage, and sabotage. The use of Kaspersky Lab products and web services by Australian Government entities poses an unacceptable security risk, a concern shared by multiple governments, including Canada and the United Kingdom, which have also curtailed Kaspersky's activities in their respective jurisdictions.

Exceptions for the use of Kaspersky products may be made for legitimate business reasons, limited to national security and regulatory functions. Where Kaspersky products are already installed, they must be removed by April 1, 2025. In such cases, the user must ensure that appropriate mitigations are in place.

The US Government banned the sale of Kaspersky software last year, citing similar concerns. This latest directive from the Australian government reaffirms their commitment to protecting the country's cyber security.

It is important to note that the search results do not provide information about the name of the person who issued the directive on February 17, 2025, banning the use of Kaspersky products on Australian government systems and devices.

This directive serves as a reminder for all Australian government entities to prioritise cyber security and take proactive measures to protect against potential threats. The use of Kaspersky Lab products and web services is no longer permitted on federal government devices, and all relevant entities are advised to comply with this directive to ensure the continued safety and security of the nation's digital infrastructure.