The Cybersleuth Who Saunas With Russian Spies

Kaspersky Lab sells security software, including antivirus programs recommended by big-box stores and other US PC retailers. Founder and CEO Eugene Kaspersky used to work for the KGB, and in 2007, one of the company's Japanese ad campaigns used the slogan "A Specialist in Cryptography from...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bloomberg businessweek (Online) 2015-03, p.43
Main Authors: Matlack, Carol, Riley, Michael, Robertson, Jordan
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Competitive advantage
Cryptography
Intelligence gathering
Market strategy
Software industry
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Kaspersky Lab sells security software, including antivirus programs recommended by big-box stores and other US PC retailers. Founder and CEO Eugene Kaspersky used to work for the KGB, and in 2007, one of the company's Japanese ad campaigns used the slogan "A Specialist in Cryptography from KGB." The sales tactic, a local partner's idea, was "quickly removed by headquarters," according to Kaspersky Lab, as the company recruited senior managers in the US and Europe to expand its business and readied an initial public offering with a US investment firm. While Kaspersky Lab is the most prominent cybersecurity business with close ties to the Russian government, that affinity with the country's spooks reflects a years-long shift by security companies toward choosing sides. Most major security-software makers work with the US in some capacity. In head-to-head tests, however, Kaspersky Lab's software still performs well against competitors.
ISSN:0007-7135
2162-657X