Kaspersky is closing its doors in the United States this week

The Moscow-based cybersecurity and anti-virus provider Kaspersky is shutting down its operation in the United States on Saturday July 20.

The news was first reported by Kim Zetter, an independent investigative journalist who’s covered cybersecurity and national security since 1999.

The decision was made after the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) added Kaspersky to the Entity List.

American entrepreneurs are prohibited from conducting business with companies that are on that list. It also means that Kaspersky, affiliates, subsidiaries and parent companies aren’t allowed to sell anti-virus software and other cybersecurity products within the United States.

The Department of Commerce pointed out that an “extremely thorough investigation” preceded the ban, citing that its decision was based on the current geopolitical climate and national security concerns.

“Russia has shown time and again they have the capability and intent to exploit Russian companies, like Kaspersky Lab, to collect and weaponize sensitive U.S. information, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to safeguard U.S. national security and the American people,” Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement.

To give American businesses, organizations and citizens enough time to find an alternative anti-virus vendor, the ban on Kaspersky products goes into effect on September 29. Kaspersky however decided not to wait and “gradually wind down” all American activities earlier.

“The company has carefully examined and evaluated the impact of the U.S. legal requirements and made this sad and difficult decision as business opportunities in the country are no longer viable,” Kaspersky says in a statement.

The cybersecurity firm states that the decision to close its branch in the United States will affect “less than 50 employees”.

Kaspersky is a Russian cybersecurity firm that develops and sells anti-virus programs, internet security, password management solutions and dark web monitoring services.

The company has offices in 31 countries and is active in over 200 countries, providing anti-virus products and services to over 400 million users and 220,000 corporate clients worldwide.

Kaspersky started selling its products in the United States in 2005.