GNR backs shunned Kaspersky with UK distribution agreement

Kaspersky adds to UK distribution roster with Telford-based GNR coming into the fold

Telford-based distributor GNR Technology has backed troubled Kaspersky after securing a deal to distribute the security vendor in the UK.

Kaspersky has found itself in hot water in the US over recent months, culminating in the US government ripping out all Kaspersky products, although Kaspersky has denied any wrongdoing.

Advice from the UK's National Cyber Security Centre expressed a degree of concern over Kaspersky, but stopped short of advising businesses and government departments to remove the vendor's products.

GNR has now added Kaspersky to its portfolio, with a deal that will see it distribute the vendor's full range of B2C products.

GNR boss Dave Stevinson (pictured), who has publicly backed Kaspersky over the last few months, said: "Kaspersky Lab is one of the world's leading internet security vendors and there has been no actual evidence to back up these false allegations.

"We are exceptionally motivated and enthusiastic to assist Kaspersky Lab in reaching their goals in the UK independent channel.

"Kaspersky is a credible brand in the cybersecurity space and perfect for protecting critical infrastructure businesses."

GNR rose from the ashes of Entatech last year and Stevinson said that the Kaspersky agreement will be a key focus for the distributor moving forward.

"GNR is a specialised distributor with a laser focus on a limited number of brands," he added. "Kaspersky Lab and the cybersecurity space is an area where GNR has significant expertise coupled with huge ambition to meet the shared business outcomes.

"Kaspersky Lab is very much a strategic vendor to GNR and a brand that we will invest in heavily going forwards."

GNR joins Arrow, DSD Europe, Exertis, Tech Data, and Nuvias as Kaspersky's UK distributors, according to the Kaspersky website.

Dave Mole, Kaspersky's head of retail in the UK and Ireland, added: "We look forward to working with GNR given their focus and knowledge within the UK reseller channel.

"Kaspersky Lab's UK share has continuously grown over the past two years and now, with GNR's support, we will be able to maximise this important part of our UK retail business."