Eugene Kaspersky

Eugene Kaspersky
Евгений Касперский
Born Yevgeny Valentinovich Kaspersky
4 October 1965
Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Krai, Soviet Union
Residence Moscow
Nationality Russian
Alma mater Moscow State University, IKSI
Occupation CEO of Kaspersky Lab
Known for Founder of Kaspersky Lab

Eugene Kaspersky (Russian: Евге́ний Валенти́нович Каспе́рский; born 4 October 1965 in Novorossiysk) is a Russian specialist in the information security field. He heads the global IT security company Kaspersky Lab,[1] which was established in 1997 based upon previous work developing antivirus technologies.[2] He has written articles on computer virology and speaks regularly at security seminars and conferences. Kaspersky Lab now operates in almost 200 countries; with more than 30 regional and country offices worldwide, it is the world's largest privately held vendor of software security products.

Education

Kaspersky developed an interest in mathematics during his early teens.[3] While still at school, he attended extracurricular classes in advanced mathematics and physics on a special course organized by the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.[3] Later, after winning a math competition, he was selected for enrollment at an advanced technical school, the Kolmogorov Advanced Educational Scientific Center of Moscow State University, where he furthered his studies in physics and advanced mathematics.[3]

In 1987, Kaspersky graduated from the technical faculty of the FSB Academy, formerly the largest and most important of several KGB higher educational institutions. In 1992, the technical faculty was renamed the Institute of Cryptography, Telecommunications and Computer Science (IKSI).[4]

Career

Kaspersky then worked at a multi-discipline scientific research institute.[3] It was here where he first began studying computer viruses after detecting the Cascade virus in 1989.[3] After analyzing the virus, Kaspersky developed a disinfection utility for it, the first of many to come. Cascade was the first malicious program to enter what is now the Kaspersky Lab Antivirus Database, which today contains more than 100 million samples of malware.[3]

Kaspersky joined the KAMI Information Technologies Center in 1991, where he and his associates developed the AVZ antivirus product. Kaspersky was responsible for AVP becoming the first antivirus software in the world to separate the software from the antivirus database, which is a standard for the industry today. He also came up with the idea of giving AVP the world’s first antivirus graphical user interface.

In November 1992, the team released its first fully-fledged product – AVZ 1.0. In 1994 the product came top in comparative testing conducted by the University of Hamburg’s test lab by demonstrating higher virus detection and neutralization rates than the most popular antivirus programs of the day.[5] This surprise win brought AVZ widespread international recognition.

Around this time the team first began to license its expertise to non-Russian IT firms.[6]

In 1997, Kaspersky and his colleagues decided to register an independent company and became the founders of Kaspersky Lab. Initially Kaspersky did not want to use his name in the title, but he was eventually persuaded to do so by then-wife Natalia Kasperskaya, also a co-founder.[7] In November 2000, AVP was renamed Kaspersky Anti-Virus after a dispute with a U.S. partner.

From the establishment of the company until 2007, Eugene Kaspersky was head of the company’s antivirus research. In 2007, he was named the chief executive officer of Kaspersky Lab.[8]

Kaspersky concentrates on the strategic management of Kaspersky Lab and travels internationally as a speaker on computer security[9]

Kaspersky is the co-author of several patents, including one for a constraint-and-attribute-based security system for controlling software component interaction. This patent covers the technology that controlling Kaspersky Lab’s secure operating system currently in development. Reflecting this, his office is also located next to the company’s expert "Global Research and Analysis Team" team (GReAT), the business' Virus Lab, and on the same floor as the company’s senior developers and analysts.

Personal life

Kaspersky lives in Moscow with his third wife and has four children.

On 21 April 2011, Russian media reported that his son, Ivan, then 20, had been kidnapped and subsequently freed three days later.[10]

Kaspersky’s personal fortune was estimated at US$800 million in 2011.[11]

Kaspersky has been described as a jolly character with a charismatic stage presence.[12][13] "I consider myself one of the happiest people around, since what I do I once did as a hobby, and that’s long since become my job," Kaspersky has said.[14]

During his travels, Kaspersky also regularly blogs about the places he visits.[15] He also regularly visits exotic locations, a particular favorite being the volcanic Kamchatka Peninsula in far-eastern Russia, to which he has returned several times.

His fortune at times has been estimated to be above USD$1 billion. When asked if he considers himself a billionaire, Kaspersky said his net worth fluctuates, but the distinction is not significant to him, because he does not need more. "I own a company, an apartment in Moscow and a BMW. Other than that, I don't have anything huge."[16]

He also has a fondness for Formula-1 races, which he attends regularly. Kaspersky Lab is also a Formula-1 sponsor.[17]

Awards and recognition

On 12 June 2009, he received the Russian Federation National Award in Science and Technology from then President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev for major advances in modern information security systems.[18][19] In the same year, he received the People's Republic of China Friendship Award.[20]

Other notable awards include:

In 2012, Kaspersky was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology degree from Plymouth University.[31] In the same year, Kaspersky was named one of CRN’s Top 25 Innovators of the Year.[32]

Other

Kaspersky has for several years publicly voiced concerns over a possible "catastrophic" cyber-attack on critical infrastructure.[33][34][35][36] He supports the idea of a non-proliferation treaty to cover cyberweapons,[37] citing the escalation of cyberwarfare as a 'call to action' for the international community.[38]

Kaspersky travels the world regularly giving speeches on the dangers of cyberwar and the need for worldwide action in fighting growing security threats.[39][40] He also regards education in cybersecurity matters as key in meeting cyber-challenges – education both of average computer users in general, and of IT security personnel in particular, who are often underskilled. Additionally he promotes the incorporation of universal cybersecurity standardization and policies, and cooperation between governments and industry:

“The private sector – particularly IT and security related industries, and also certain key critical industries for which IT security has long been at the top of the agenda – has a wealth of front line cyber-battle experience, which state bodies will greatly benefit from by having access to.”[33]

Kaspersky supports the idea of Internet IDs for critical transactions: voting in elections, online banking, interaction with official bodies, etc. Kaspersky was quoted as saying:

"“I believe the World Wide Web should be divided into three zones. A red zone for critical processes; for operations in this zone an Internet ID should be mandatory. Then comes the yellow zone, where minimal authorization is needed; for example, age verification for online shops selling alcohol, or adult stores. And finally there’s the green zone: blogs, social networks, news sites, chats… - everything that’s about your freedom of speech. No authorization required.”".

— Kaspersky[41]

In 2012 Kaspersky commented that Apple is at the point where Microsoft was 10–12 years previously, in terms of security.[42]

In July 2012, Wired published an article concerning Kaspersky and about Kaspersky Lab alleged political involvement and very close ties with Russian law enforcement agencies.[43] Kaspersky published a prompt response pointing out the article's factual errors and omissions.[44]

Kaspersky is also a member of several Advisory Boards, including that of the Council on CyberSecurity[45] and the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT).[46]

Kaspersky sits on the International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber Threats (IMPACT) International Advisory Board.[footnote] In March 2013, following a meeting between Eugene Kaspersky, Ronald Noble (Interpol Secretary General), and Noboru Nakatani (INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI)[47] Executive Director), Kaspersky Lab formally agreed to work closely with the IGCI in a collaborative effort to better secure the safety of the Internet[48]

In March 2015, Bloomberg accused Kaspersky to have close ties to Russian military and intelligence officials.[49] Kaspersky slammed the claims in his blog, calling the coverage "sensationalist" and guilty of "exploiting paranoia", so as to "increase readership", but did not clearly state whether these claims were true or not.[50]

Books

Kaspersky in his office

Authored:

Biography:

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Eugene Kaspersky.

References

  1. ↑ Kramer, Andrew E.; Perlroth, Nicole (3 June 2012). "Expert Issues a Cyberwar Warning". The New York Times.
  2. ↑ http://www.kaspersky.com/about/security_experts
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Interview: Eugene Kaspersky". United Kingdom: Infosecurity Magazine. 2010-10-17.
  4. ↑ http://www.academy.fsb.ru/index_i_pr.htm
  5. ↑ http://eugene.kaspersky.com/about/ Eugene's about
  6. ↑ http://www.kaspersky.com/about About Kaspersky Lab
  7. ↑ Schofield, Jack (2008-01-31). "Technology interviews". London: The Guardian.
  8. ↑ "Management Team". Retrieved 2013-02-25.
  9. ↑ "Eugene Kaspersky".
  10. ↑ "Russian software tycoon Kaspersky's son 'missing'". BBC News (Interfax). 21 April 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  11. ↑ "A tech tycoon who values privacy". Financial times (Interfax). 25 September 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  12. ↑ "Future cyber attacks could prove catastrophic, say online security experts". The Guardian (Interfax). 21 January 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  13. ↑ Rapoza, Kenneth (1 January 2013). "Russia's Kaspersky Lab Guns For Japan's Trend Micro". Forbes (Interfax). Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Brand-man, interview with Eugene Kaspersky.". Offline article, magazine "CIO: Chief Information Officer". 2013-05-08.
  15. ↑ "Eugene's Kaspersky blog: Travel notes".
  16. ↑ ""Если будут "валить" регион, город или страну целиком — до свиданья"". Register article. 2013-03-28.
  17. ↑ Bradley, Tony (23 September 2013). "In Their Own Words: Kaspersky Lab Cofounder And CEO Eugene Kaspersky". Forbes. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
  18. ↑ "Russian National Awards 2008". Official site of the President of Russia. 12 June 2009. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  19. ↑ "NEWSru.com ::".
  20. ↑ Eugene Kaspersky receives National Friendship Award of China, 30 September 2009
  21. ↑ "Top-100 Global Thinker, Foreign Policy Magazine - 2012". Foreign Policy.
  22. ↑ Technology Hero of the Year, V3 – 2012
  23. ↑ Top-100 Executive in the IT Channel, CRN –
  24. ↑ "World’s Most Powerful Security Exec, SYS-CON Media – 2011".
  25. ↑ http://www.kaspersky.com/about/news/business/2011/Eugene_Kaspersky_Named_Business_Person_of_the_Year_by_the_American_Chamber_of_Commerce_in_Russia
  26. ↑ "Outstanding Contribution to Business Award, CEO Middle East - 2011". Al Bawaba.
  27. ↑ CEO of the Year, SC Magazine Europe - 2010
  28. ↑ Lifetime Achievement Award, Virus Bulletin – 2010
  29. ↑ Planman ICPAR. "Strategic Brand Leadership Award, World Brand Congress – 2010".
  30. ↑ Runet Prize
  31. ↑ "Honorary degrees 2012". Plymouth University. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  32. ↑ McCarthy, Jack (16 November 2012). "The Top 25 Innovators Of 2012". CRN. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 "Kaspersky Warns UK Government Of ‘Catastrophic’ Cyber Attack". TechWeekEurope UK.
  34. ↑ Jemima Kiss. "Future cyber attacks could prove catastrophic, say online security experts". the Guardian.
  35. ↑ "The world's five biggest cyber threats". BBC News.
  36. ↑ "A tech tycoon who values privacy". Financial Times.
  37. ↑ "InfoSec 2013: Security Big Guns Back Cyber Weapons Non-Proliferation Treaty". TechWeekEurope UK.
  38. ↑ http://www.kaspersky.com/about/news/virus/2012/Eugene_Kaspersky_Escalation_of_Cyber_Warfare_is_a_Call_for_Action
  39. ↑ ANDREW E. KRAMER;NICOLE PERLROTH. "Expert Issues a Cyberwar Warning".
  40. ↑ "Expert Issues a Cyberwar Warning". Vanity Fair.
  41. ↑ "Interviews: Eugene Kaspersky Answers Your Questions". Register article. 2012-12-13.
  42. ↑ http://www.geektown.ca/2012/04/apple-10-years-behind-microsoft-when-it-comes-to-security-expert.html
  43. ↑ Shachtman, Noah (23 July 2012). "Russia’s Top Cyber Sleuth Foils US Spies, Helps Kremlin Pals". Wired. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  44. ↑ Kaspersky, Eugene (25 July 2012). "What Wired Is Not Telling You – a Response to Noah Shachtman’s Article in Wired Magazine". Eugene Kaspersky’s Blog. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  45. ↑ "Council on CyberSecurity Advisory Board".
  46. ↑ "International Advisory Board". IMPACT. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  47. ↑ "The INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation".
  48. ↑ http://www.kaspersky.com/about/news/business/2013/Kaspersky_Lab_signs_up_to_actively_support_INTERPOL_Global_Complex_for_Innovation_Singapore
  49. ↑ http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-19/cybersecurity-kaspersky-has-close-ties-to-russian-spies
  50. ↑ http://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/2400725/eugene-kaspersky-intensifies-us-vs-russia-flame-war-accusing-bloomberg-of-creating-conspiracy-theories-about-his-company
  51. ↑ Travel Notes 2006
  52. ↑ New Year at the South Pole (2010)
  53. ↑ Muchas Pictures (2011)
  54. ↑ The Top-100 Places on Earth (2012)

External links