WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Wednesday directed federal departments and agencies to remove Kaspersky Lab products from their information systems.
"The Department is concerned about the ties between certain Kaspersky officials and Russian intelligence and other government agencies, and requirements under Russian law that allow Russian intelligence agencies to request or compel assistance from Kaspersky and to intercept communications transiting Russian networks," the DHS said in a statement.
Kaspersky Lab is a Russian multinational cybersecurity and anti-virus provider headquartered in Moscow, capital of Russia.
"The risk that the Russian government, whether acting on its own or in collaboration with Kaspersky, could capitalize on access provided by Kaspersky products to compromise federal information and information systems directly implicates U.S. national security," it said.
The department's Binding Operational Directive was issued "after careful consideration of available information and consultation with interagency partners," the DHS said.
Under the directive, all federal departments and agencies will have 30 days to identify Kaspersky products used on their information systems, 60 days to develop detailed plans to remove them, and then begin discontinuing their use within 90 days.
The DHS said it will provide an opportunity for Kaspersky to submit a written response addressing the department's concerns.
