In a heartfelt letter titled “To our Lovely you,” Kaspersky Lab, the Russian cybersecurity firm, has announced its departure from the United States market. Addressing its American customers directly, Kaspersky expressed gratitude for their loyalty and trust over the years. The Kaspersky goodbye letter reflects the company’s deep appreciation for the support received during these challenging times.
Kaspersky Goodbye Letter: Farewell Message and Gratitude
“Thank you for choosing and trusting Kaspersky throughout the years. We’re deeply moved with all the kind words and supportive messages received in these difficult times,” the Kaspersky goodbye letter begins.
It continues, “We’ve always strived and remain committed to provide the best cybersecurity there is — independent, transparent, and expertly managed. Unfortunately, for now, you have one less choice in defending yourself against online threats.”
To show appreciation, Kaspersky is offering its American customers a selection of its security solutions for free for six months. These can be accessed through the “My Kaspersky” portal. However, this gesture is constrained by the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) ban on the sale and distribution of Kaspersky products, including updates, in the United States, effective September 29.
Post-ban, U.S. users will not receive automatic updates or antivirus definitions, which they will need to manually download from Kaspersky’s site, if available.
Kaspersky Operational Wind-Down and Layoffs
The company also confirmed the closure of its U.S. operations and the layoff of its entire American workforce, consisting of fewer than 50 employees. This move follows the U.S. government’s decision to add Kaspersky to the Entity List, which includes foreign individuals, companies, and organizations deemed a national security concern.
In a statement to The Cyber Express, Kaspersky said, “Starting from July 20, 2024, Kaspersky will gradually wind down its U.S. operations and eliminate U.S.-based positions. The decision and process follow the Final Determination by the U.S. Department of Commerce, prohibiting the sales and distribution of Kaspersky products in the U.S.”
Impact and Future Prospects
The U.S. ban represents a significant blow to Kaspersky. While U.S. sales comprised roughly 10% of their global revenue and only about 3% of American antivirus users utilized Kaspersky software before the government ban in June, losing access to the U.S. market damages the company’s brand reputation and may influence other nations to follow suit.
Despite the setbacks, Kaspersky remains optimistic about its future. The company emphasized its resilience and commitment to customer protection worldwide. “Kaspersky’s business remains resilient, and our key priority remains the same – to protect our customers in any country from cyberthreats. Being a global cybersecurity vendor, the company will continue investing in strategic markets and remain committed to serving its customers and partners and ensuring their protection.”
Kaspersky aims to adapt its sales pipeline and maintain its global presence by focusing on markets with the most potential for business development, such as Asia and South America. “As a global company operating in more than 200 territories and countries, Kaspersky will be able to adapt its sales pipeline and maintain its global presence by focusing on the markets where it sees the most potential for its business development,” the company told TCE.
Security Tips for Users
In the farewell letter, Kaspersky offered several security tips for users to follow:
- Always back up your data.
- Be cautious of links and verify their source before clicking.
- Protect your identity online by changing passwords regularly and keeping them long and complex.
Ongoing Scrutiny and Vulnerability Market
While the U.S. has banned Kaspersky, the company’s products remain widely used. Critical vulnerabilities in these products are in high demand. For instance, SSD Secure Disclosure, a vulnerability disclosure outfit headquartered in South Korea, has announced “BIG payouts” for pre-authentication remote code/command execution in Kaspersky Security Center, a security management solution for businesses.
With the U.S. market now off-limits and pressure from the European Parliament to exclude the use of products from vendors in China and Russia in vital and sensitive sectors, Kaspersky is redirecting its focus to other regions. This strategic shift underscores the company’s determination to sustain its global operations amidst increasing geopolitical challenges.
Kaspersky Lab’s farewell to its American customers marks the end of an era for the company in the U.S. market. As the firm navigates through these turbulent times, its commitment to cybersecurity and customer protection remains steadfast.
The departure from the U.S. signifies not just a loss of a significant market but also a pivotal moment that will shape the future direction of Kaspersky’s global operations.
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