The German Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI) advises companies to stop using antivirus software from the Russian company Kaspersky.
Due to the war in Ukraine, there is an increased risk of cyber attacks from Russia on German systems, the BSI warns. “The actions of the military and intelligence services in Russia and Russia’s threats against the EU, NATO and the Federal Republic of Germany carry a significant risk of a successful IT attack,” the BSI writes on its website.
A Russian IT company could conduct offensive operations itself. Still, it could also be forced to attack systems against its will, be spied on unbeknownst to it in a cyber operation, or be misused as a tool to attack its own customers…
The service advises companies to switch to alternative antivirus software. However, such a switch must be carefully planned. The BSI says: ‘If IT security products – particularly antivirus software – were switched off without preparation, one could be vulnerable to cyber attacks’.
The BSI advises companies to assess their current situation thoroughly and, if necessary, consult IT service providers certified by the BSI.