In a significant decision that could impact cybersecurity efforts in the United States, Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has announced the closure of all its operations in the country. The move comes just weeks after the US Commerce Department banned the use of Kaspersky's software due to concerns over national security risks.

Kaspersky, which has been operating in the US for nearly two decades, stated that it would gradually wind down its operations starting from July 20th. The company confirmed that fewer than 50 employees would be affected by the decision.

In a statement, Kaspersky expressed its disappointment at having to make this "sad and difficult decision." The company acknowledged its contribution to the nation's cybersecurity goals and emphasized that it had carefully evaluated the impact of the US legal requirements.

The ban on Kaspersky's software was imposed by the Commerce Department last month, as it believed that the company's Russian connections posed an "undue or unacceptable risk" to US national security. The department argued that Kaspersky's software could potentially be exploited to identify sensitive data of US citizens and make it accessible to Russian government actors.

Addressing the ban, Kaspersky argued that it is not a security threat and denied deliberately obtaining sensitive data on Americans. The company insisted that its operations and employees in Russia only have access to aggregated or statistical data that cannot be attributed to specific individuals. Moreover, Kaspersky contended that the US government's decision was based more on geopolitical concerns than concrete evidence of risk.

The Commerce Department defended its decision, stating that it was taken after a thorough investigation and assessment of the risks posed by Kaspersky's products and services. The department emphasized that the action was necessary to address a substantial threat to US national security.

Kaspersky is known for its widely-used consumer antivirus products and its research unit, which is recognized for its efforts in exposing elite hacking groups. Despite the closure of its US operations, Kaspersky reassured its customers that its business remains resilient and its priority to protect customers worldwide from cyber threats remains unchanged.

The news of Kaspersky shutting down its US operations was first reported by journalist Kim Zetter on Monday. The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing concerns regarding the impact of foreign cybersecurity firms on US national security.