Away from Russia - Kaspersky's data center comes to Zurich

Kaspersky Lab is moving a number of key processes from Russia to Switzerland, the company has announced. Also for more Transparency The new data center is to be supervised by independent inspectors. This is no coincidence: According to media reports, the IT security provider was confronted with US espionage allegations in connection with the Russian secret service last fall.

The data center in Zurich is expected to be in place by the end of 2019 and will store and process all information from users in Europe, North America, Singapore, Australia, Japan and South Korea.

Shifting software integration

The finalization of its software production will also be moved to Zurich: By the end of 2018, the vendor plans to create Kaspersky products and signature databases for threat detection (AV databases) in Switzerland, where they will be digitally signed before being distributed to end customers around the world. The relocation ensures that any newly assembled software can be verified by an independent organization, the company stresses.

First transparency center

The source code of the products as well as its software updates are to be available in a specially established transparency center for inspection by interested and authorized third parties, as Kaspersky lets it be known. This so-called transparency center, which will also be realized in Switzerland, is expected to open before the end of this year.  (rs/pd)