Jeanie Gan about where Kaspersky Lab holds territories under sanctions

Western countries continue to strengthen technological sanctions and restrictions against the Russian Federation. Thus, in early October, Canada introduced a ban on the installation of Kaspersky Lab products on government devices (the same rule applies to the Chinese WeChat). Head of government relations at the international Kaspersky Lab in the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and the Middle East Jeanie Gun told Kommersant how serious the losses were and what the company is doing to retain the already captured territories.

— The integration of Russian companies into the global agenda has been seriously disrupted since February 2022, and in general the situation is not improving. What and how successfully are you currently doing while working abroad?

— These are topics in the field of cybersecurity and related to artificial intelligence (AI). In October, we participated in a panel discussion on the role of cybersecurity in the development of AI at the Global Parliamentary Meeting of the UN Internet Governance Forum in Japan. Kaspersky Lab presented ethical principles for the responsible use of AI in cybersecurity. These include transparency, safety of use, human control, confidentiality, and use for protective purposes. The initiative met with a lively response from the expert community.

— How are event participants representing Russian companies perceived at international venues?

— At the discussion on the sustainable development of AI in Japan, I was the only representative from the cybersecurity market among all five participants. I think the very fact that the company was invited speaks of attention and a positive assessment of its activities.

— How seriously have sanctions and other restrictions affected Kaspersky Lab’s business in general?

— If we talk about the period after February 24, then at first the world was in shock. Business was affected by people’s emotional reactions, especially in the Western market. Some customers abandoned the company’s products because of their own reaction to what was happening. However, gradually, through negotiations with businesses and governments of different countries, we managed to convince many to return.

When emotions subside, companies realize the risks of abandoning products they have used for many years. The only countries that specifically imposed sanctions against Kaspersky Lab were Poland and Ukraine. In other cases, these are restrictions. It is important for us to maintain a presence in all regions – Kaspersky Lab currently operates in 200 countries and territories – because it gives us the ability to see threats. Therefore, despite the Ukrainian crisis and restrictions, the company did not leave previously developed markets.

— Kaspersky Lab worked with Interpol to solve cybercrimes. How is the interaction going now?

— Data exchange between countries is becoming increasingly difficult. Kaspersky Lab works directly with law enforcement agencies around the world, sharing information through Interpol. For example, about how to investigate cybercrimes and how to conduct forensic examinations in these cases. In addition, the company regularly sends its experts to the organization for a period of six months or more to join investigations. As a recent example, we participated in Operation Africa Cyber ​​Surge 2 in Africa, aimed at finding compromised infrastructure and arresting hackers across the continent. But this is part of social activity.

— What partners does Kaspersky Lab work with in China?

— For example, Centerm, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of “thin clients.” Last year we signed a memorandum on the development of software and hardware secure solutions, and it has already borne fruit in terms of the release of equipment on our KasperskyOS operating system.

We see a large market for our solutions in China. But this country, like any other, has its own characteristics and policies. It can be translated as “Make in China,” in which the state pays great attention to promoting its own players.

Therefore, if a foreign company wants to work there, it will have to comply with a huge number of requirements, especially if it wants to supply products to the public sector. First of all, this is large-scale localization. The situation is similar in India: most of the business processes must take place within the country, right down to software development.

Interviewed by Tatyana Isakova