Eugene Kaspersky: Business is good … unfortunately

• Revenue of US$667mil in 2013, enterprise segment revenue grew 18%
• Adds Singapore to its global network, offices now in 31 countries on 5 continents

SPEAKING at a press conference hosted during Interpol World in Singapore, Eugene Kaspersky (pic) appeared somewhat apologetic about how things were going.
 
“Unfortunately business is going very well, which is the nature of any security company. If business was bad, that’d be good news for the rest,” said the chairman and chief executive officer of software security firm Kaspersky Lab.
 
The company reported global unaudited revenue of US$667 million in 2013, with its overall corporate segment growing 9% and its enterprise segment growing 18%, versus 2012.
 
The boom in the security business has also prompted an increase in investment, with Kaspersky Lab announcing that it has added Singapore to its worldwide network, with offices now located in 31 countries on five continents.
 
The new office will be the 34th representative division of the company, and will eventually also become the regional headquarters, acting as a business hub for the wider Asia Pacific region.
 
Eugene shared that the company has had a presence in the region since 2000 when it opened an office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
 
“If you ask me why, to be honest, [it was] because at the time it was cheaper,” he said.
 
He said that while Kaspersky Lab enjoys quite strong presence in other parts of the world, unfortunately it has not been as successful in the Asia Pacific region.
 
“We want to have a better presence here, to increase our market share and invest in our partner network and brand development,” he said.
 
The decision to have operations in Singapore was not by chance, and a strategic decision based on the island nation’s position as a regional hub, Eugene said.
 
“Singapore is one of the most technologically developed countries in the world, while at the same time one of the main financial hubs on the planet. A strong presence here is simply essential for a successful international company.
 
“What’s also important is that the Singapore Government fully understands the importance of cybersecurity and creates perfect conditions for a business like ours.
 
“As it progresses with its plan to become one of the world’s Smart Nations, we’re ideally placed to support and help the city-state grow and prosper,” he added.
 
Interpol pull
 
Singapore is also the location of the newly-opened Interpol Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI), with which Kaspersky Lab is working closely.
 
In September 2014, the two parties signed a cooperation agreement under which the security company will provide its products, intelligence, and on-going support to the IGCI.
 
One of Kaspersky’s top security researchers has since moved to Singapore to support the launch of the IGCI’s Digital Forensics Laboratory and to provide high-level advice on site.
 
He’ll be joined soon by colleagues – other top Kaspersky Lab security experts – to make up a full team of researchers located in Singapore.
 
Eugene did not comment on how much of a monetary investment his company will be making in building up its regional headquarters, but said that Kaspersky Lab will be looking to beef up its ranks with local talent.
 
Concurrent with the new office opening, the company said that it has already begun cooperating with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) in welcoming Singaporean students to training at its global headquarters.
 
Previous Instalment: The ‘Cyber Cold War’ era has begun
 
 
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