Federal Government Information Technology

Amid feds' Kaspersky concerns, no easy scapegoat - but some action

Fifth Domain: Federal agencies largely are complying with White House orders to remove Kaspersky Labs anti-virus software from government networks, according to a top Homeland Security Department official.

After a binding operational directive was issued earlier this year to remove the Russian-backed software products from federal networks amid security worries, roughly 96 of 102 agencies have done so, DHS Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications Jeanette Manfra told the House Science, Space and Technology Committee’s oversight subcommittee on Nov. 14.

She would not name the six non-compliant agencies, citing concerns that it would expose potential vulnerabilities and harm the relationship between DHS and those agencies. She said DHS is working with the six agencies to identify potential Kaspersky presence on their networks, and would work with the Office of Management and Budget if necessary to determine the appropriate response.

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