A new Kaspersky survey reveals that 71% of employees in the Middle East have cybersecurity solutions installed on the devices they use for work, highlighting growing awareness of digital risks in the region. The study, titled “Cybersecurity in the Workplace: Employee Knowledge and Behavior”, shows how workers are accessing sensitive business information across multiple devices—including computers, mobile phones, and tablets .
Cybersecurity Challenges in the Workplace
While security adoption is increasing, many professionals still face risks:
- 38% admitted to using work devices for personal activities such as streaming, gaming, or shopping.
- 35% connected corporate devices to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
- 13% reported losing a device, and another 13% had devices stolen .
These behaviors expose businesses to threats such as malware infections, ransomware, and data leaks. Without safeguards like VPNs, encryption, or remote wipe capabilities, lost or stolen devices can put confidential data into the wrong hands.
Brandon Muller, Kaspersky’s Technical Expert for the MEA region, emphasized the importance of cyber hygiene:
“With the increasing reliance on cloud services, remote work, and mobile access, businesses need to implement comprehensive security measures. Good IT habits, strong policies, and robust endpoint protection are no longer optional—they are essential.”
Kaspersky’s Recommendations for Businesses
To enhance protection against cyberthreats, Kaspersky advises organizations to:
- Enforce strong security policies covering passwords, app installations, and data encryption.
- Provide regular cybersecurity training with tools such as the Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform.
- Deploy robust endpoint and network protection solutions, including the Kaspersky Next product line, designed for businesses of all sizes .
About the Survey
The study was conducted in 2025 by Toluna research agency on behalf of Kaspersky, covering 2,800 employees and business owners across seven countries: Türkiye, South Africa, Kenya, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE .
Founded in 1997, Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy leader with over one billion devices protected worldwide. The company provides cutting-edge threat intelligence, security services, and cyber-immune solutions for individuals, businesses, and governments. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.
