Islamabad: The latest Kaspersky survey report highlights growing cyber threats to Pakistani businesses due to unsafe digital practices and weak device protection.
The report, “Cybersecurity in the workplace: Employee knowledge and behavior”, shows that 70% of employees in Pakistan use both computers and mobile phones for work. Another 30.8% rely on tablets as well. Despite heavy use of digital tools, only 70.8% of respondents said they had installed security solutions on all devices. Worryingly, 7% admitted they did not even know if their devices were protected.
The Kaspersky survey report also uncovered risky behavior. Nearly half of Pakistani employees use work devices for personal tasks such as online shopping, gaming, streaming, or booking holidays. About 49.5% connect work devices to public Wi-Fi networks, which often lack proper security. In the past year alone, 22% of respondents lost a work device and 23% reported theft. Each case created opportunities for attackers to steal sensitive business data or disrupt operations.
Experts stress that mixing personal and professional use creates dangerous loopholes. Employees often download unsafe apps or access malicious sites, exposing businesses to malware and ransomware. Hackers can exploit public Wi-Fi to intercept confidential data. A lost or stolen device without strong passwords, encryption, or remote wipe features can easily give away critical information.
Brandon Muller, Technical Expert for the MEA region at Kaspersky, warned: “With remote work and cloud reliance growing, companies must enforce strict IT policies and promote cyber hygiene. They should protect every device with endpoint solutions and educate employees to follow best practices.”
The report urges firms to adopt stronger defenses. Multi-factor authentication, regular software updates, and strict password rules now form the basic line of defense. Companies should also invest in employee training through platforms like the Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Program. For wider protection, Kaspersky suggests using its Next product line, which offers scalable endpoint and network solutions for businesses of all sizes.
The Kaspersky survey report was prepared by Toluna in 2025. Researchers surveyed 2,800 employees and business owners across seven countries: Pakistan, Türkiye, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
