U.S. Ban of Kaspersky Software Will Leave a Mark

… among the simplest and most transparent in the market, making it easy for partners to understand profitability models.

While Kaspersky Lab is profitable, solution providers harbor suspicions of their own. In previous research conducted by The 2112 Group, Kaspersky Lab partners said the vendor was the most likely to collaborate with government intelligence agencies and hack competitors for an advantage.

So, just how much of an impact does the government labeling a foreign technology company as a national security threat have on commercial sales? Look no further than Huawei.

In 2012, the U.S. House Intelligence Committee issued a report citing China-based Huawei – a manufacturer of networking and telecommunications equipment – as a potential national security threat and advised U.S. companies not to use its products. The result was a tainting of the Chinese company’s reputation that led to its withdrawal from the U.S. market.

Kaspersky Lab partners may remain confident in the company’s product quality and effectiveness, but that will go only so far in a market driven by perception. The U.S. government ban will likely taint commercial buyers’ perceptions of Kaspersky Lab, making it harder for solution providers to sell the company’s products. Further, competitors will likely use the ban – overtly or subtly – to direct business away from Kaspersky Lab and its partners.

As Kermit the Frog bemoans, “It’s not easy being green.” Now, it’s no longer easy being a part of “Green Team” Kaspersky in the U.S. security market.

Larry Walsh is the CEO and chief analyst of The 2112 Group, a channel strategy and research firm. Follow Larry and 2112 on Twitter: @lmwalsh2112 and @the2112group.