Early Life
Yevgeny Valentinovich Kaspersky, known as Eugene Kaspersky, was born on October 4, 1965, in Novorossiysk, Russia. As a child, he displayed an early interest in math and technology. He moved near Moscow at age nine. Kaspersky attended a specialized boarding school run by Moscow University, where he studied mathematics. He graduated from the Institute of Cryptography, Telecommunications and Computer Science (FSB Academy) with a degree in mathematical engineering and computer technology in 1987.
Rise to Success
Kaspersky's interest in computer security began in 1989 when his computer was infected by the Cascade virus. He developed a program to remove the virus, which led to his full-time career in antivirus development and IT security research. In 1991, he began working at the KAMI Information Technology Center, where he developed antivirus solutions. In 1997, Kaspersky co-founded Kaspersky Lab with Natalya Kaspersky and Alexey De-Monderik. He has served as CEO since 2007. Under his leadership, the company has grown to operate in over 200 countries with over 5,000 employees.
Key Business Strategies
Kaspersky Lab's success has been driven by its focus on innovation and threat intelligence. The company's Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) is known for uncovering sophisticated cyber threats, including Stuxnet and Flame. Kaspersky has emphasized the importance of collaboration and has advocated for international treaties to address cyberwarfare.
Philanthropy
Kaspersky Lab supports various charitable foundations and NGOs, particularly in Russia, and sponsors events and volunteer projects. The company's North American branch has a Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program and supports over 24 non-profit organizations.