How should MSPs respond to Biden’s ban on Kaspersky to protect SMBs?

Quick summary

President Biden’s recent ban on Kaspersky requires MSPs to act quickly: organizations using that vendor must transition to approved alternatives within 100 days. This FAQ-style guide explains what MSPs should prioritize, outlines steps to replace Kaspersky, and highlights how Palisade supports smooth transitions for SMB clients.

1. What is the scope of the ban and who must act?

MSPs and any organization using Kaspersky products must find replacements within the mandated 100-day period. The order targets federal agencies, contractors, and entities deemed at risk by the administration, but the practical effect is broader: many private-sector SMBs that rely on Kaspersky now face immediate exposure and should transition. MSPs managing endpoints or networks that use this software should inventory affected systems, notify clients, and begin migration planning right away.

2. What immediate steps should MSPs take first?

Start with a rapid inventory and risk assessment—identify every endpoint, server, and client that runs Kaspersky and classify them by risk level. Prioritize high-value targets such as servers, domain controllers, and devices handling sensitive data. Communicate a clear timeline to clients, secure executive buy-in, and schedule replacements to avoid gaps in protection during migration.

3. How do MSPs choose replacement security software?

Choose replacements based on proven detection rates, centralized management, and vendor transparency—prioritize solutions with third-party validation and enterprise-grade telemetry. Evaluate integration with your RMM and ticketing systems, licensing flexibility for SMBs, and support responsiveness. Test candidate products in a lab or pilot group to verify performance and false-positive behavior before broad rollout.

4. How should MSPs migrate endpoints cleanly and securely?

Plan an orchestrated removal and install process to prevent protection gaps: disable and uninstall Kaspersky, then deploy the new agent and validate policies and updates. Use automation tools where possible to keep rollouts consistent and reduce human error. Monitor post-installation logs and endpoint health for at least two weeks to catch misconfigurations or missed devices.

5. What are the communication best practices with SMB clients?

Lead with the bottom line: explain the ban, the 100-day timeline, and the concrete steps you will take on their behalf. Offer clear choices and pricing options, provide migration dates, and set expectations for any downtime. Provide short, actionable FAQs for non-technical stakeholders and regular progress updates during the rollout.

6. What risk-management measures should MSPs add during transition?

Layer defenses while you migrate: enable multi-factor authentication, strengthen backup procedures, tighten network segmentation, and increase detection monitoring. Apply principle of least privilege for access controls and verify backups are immutable. These compensating controls reduce the chance of a breach while endpoint protection is being replaced.

7. How can MSPs validate that the new solution is effective?

Use measurable criteria: telemetry coverage, detection-to-response time, independent test scores, and reduction in false positives. Run live, controlled tests such as phishing simulations and endpoint assays, and measure the security operations workflow’s efficiency. Keep a short checklist for go/no-go decisions during the pilot phase.

8. What compliance and contractual concerns should MSPs review?

Check client contracts and regulatory obligations—some agreements require specific protections or notification timelines in the event of vendor changes. Update SLAs to reflect the migration effort, document decisions and tests, and preserve audit logs to show due diligence. For federal contractors or regulated sectors, confirm adherence to any additional government directives.

9. How does this create an opportunity for MSPs?

The ban is an opening to demonstrate proactive security leadership: offer managed detection, rapid remediation services, and continuous monitoring plans to clients. Use the migration to package higher-value services—security assessments, threat hunting, and resilience reviews—that strengthen recurring revenue and client trust. Showing decisive, expert action differentiates MSPs in a crowded market.

10. How can Palisade help MSPs navigate this change?

Palisade provides transition playbooks, endpoint alternatives, and hands‑on support to replace risky software efficiently and securely. Palisade’s MDR and migration guidance help MSPs maintain protection without interrupting business operations. Learn more about how Palisade supports MSP transitions at Palisade.

Quick Takeaways

• MSPs must act fast—100 days is the practical deadline to replace Kaspersky.
• Start with an inventory, prioritize high‑risk systems, and communicate clearly to clients.
• Choose replacement tools with proven detection, management integration, and strong support.
• Use compensating controls like MFA, backups, and segmentation during migration.
• Document decisions for compliance and use the shift to upsell managed security services.

Five common follow-up questions (FAQs)

1. Will every customer need a license change? Usually yes—expect licensing adjustments when you replace endpoint products; plan budgets and client approvals accordingly.
2. How long does a typical migration take? Small pilots can finish in days; broad rollouts for many SMBs typically run weeks depending on automation and client readiness.
3. Can we run two agents simultaneously? Temporarily running agents may be possible, but test for conflicts and prioritize orchestrated swaps to avoid performance issues.
4. What if a client refuses to change? Document the risk, provide written recommendations, and escalate contractually if needed; ensure you have client sign-off on residual risk.
5. Where can MSPs get hands-on help? Palisade offers migration playbooks, technical support, and managed detection services to guide rapid, secure replacements.