Kaspersky Exits UK Market, Lays Off Staff in Latest Restructuring Move
Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has announced the closure of its UK office and layoffs affecting dozens of employees, marking another significant retreat from Western markets. This decision comes just three months after the company ceased US operations following a US government ban.
The UK Wind-Down Strategy
Company spokesperson Francesco Tius confirmed to TechCrunch that Kaspersky will:
- Gradually phase out UK office operations
- Transition to a partner-based business model in the region
- Maintain customer access through European teams and existing partner networks
“This strategic shift allows us to optimize our UK market approach while ensuring continued service delivery through our established European infrastructure and partner channels,” Tius stated. The London office currently employs fewer than 50 staff members.
Ongoing Challenges for Kaspersky
This development represents the latest setback for the embattled cybersecurity provider, which has faced:
- Persistent allegations of Russian government ties (which Kaspersky denies)
- A June 2024 US sales ban on its products
- Forced withdrawal from the American market
The US Transition Fallout
Following the US ban, Kaspersky:
- Transferred its US customer base to newly-formed UltraAV
- Implemented an automated software replacement system
- Faced criticism for forcing updates without explicit consent
The company maintains it provided adequate customer notification about the transition, though many users reported surprise at finding UltraAV installed without direct permission.
What This Means for Cybersecurity Consumers
While Kaspersky emphasizes continued service availability through European channels, these developments raise questions about:
- The company’s long-term Western market strategy
- Potential impacts on product support and updates
- The broader geopolitical implications for cybersecurity firms
Industry analysts will be watching closely to see if this marks the beginning of further international retrenchment for the once-dominant security provider.
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