U.S. federal agencies must begin removing Kaspersky Lab security software from their networks within 90 days, according to a U.S. Department of Homeland Security action issued today that effectively bans the company's software from federal systems.The U.S. government claims Kaspersky may have ties to Russia's government -- potentially opening the door for espionage activities. Kaspersky has repeatedly denied the claims.As a result of the US government directive, departments and agencies must: We assume that means federal agencies will be seeking Kaspersky alternatives...
- Identify if Kaspersky products are installed and/or used on IT systems in the next 30 days;
- develop detailed plans to remove and discontinue present and future use of the products in the next 60 days; and
- within 90 days of this directive, unless directed otherwise by DHS based on new information, begin the remove of Kaspersky's software, the government said.