Survey Highlights Cybersecurity Awareness Among Egyptian Professionals
A recent survey conducted by Kaspersky, titled “Cybersecurity in the Workplace: Employee Knowledge and Behavior,” reveals intriguing insights into the device usage habits of professionals in Egypt. Alongside traditional computers, an impressive 78% of participants reported utilizing mobile phones for work, while 50% also indicated tablet usage.
Notably, 76% of respondents affirmed that they have cybersecurity protection solutions implemented across all devices employed for accessing business information. However, a disconcerting 7% stated they are uncertain about the security status of their devices.
In the current interconnected digital milieu, safeguarding all devices utilized for business data access is paramount in order to preserve sensitive information and uphold operational integrity. Devices devoid of requisite protection are vulnerable to exploitation by cyber adversaries, who may seek unauthorized access, pilfer data, deploy ransomware, or disrupt business operations.
Over the past year, 38% of Egyptian respondents confessed to using work devices for personal activities such as streaming films, gaming, shopping, or travel reservations. Additionally, 33% admitted to connecting their work devices to public Wi-Fi networks, while 17% experienced device loss, and 15% reported theft of their devices.
These statistics underscore the pressing necessity for a cyber hygiene ethos and robust security solutions across all endpoints, as each represents a potential cybersecurity threat to enterprises.
The personal utilization of work devices frequently results in the installation of unauthorized applications or exposure to perilous websites, thereby amplifying the likelihood of malware infections or data breaches.
The connection to public Wi-Fi networks, often inadequately encrypted and secured, can facilitate cybercriminals in intercepting sensitive corporate data or implanting harmful software; thus, employing a VPN for secure connections is advisable.
Furthermore, should a device become lost or stolen without adequate security measures—such as strong passwords, data encryption, or remote wipe functionalities—vital business information may tragically end up in the hands of unauthorized individuals.
Brandon Muller, a Technical Expert for the MEA region at Kaspersky, states, “With the escalating dependence on cloud services, remote work, and mobile accessibility, enterprises must adopt comprehensive security protocols.
Cyber hygiene—including sound IT habits, stringent security policies, and the deployment of robust security solutions—constitutes essential practices for safeguarding business systems.
Security solutions must encompass endpoint protection for every device interacting with business information, while multi-factor authentication, as well as regular software updates and backups, have become indispensable.”
To fortify organizational defenses, Kaspersky proffers the following recommendations:
- Establish security policies governing employee conduct, including regulations for password management, software installations, network segmentation, and data encryption.
- Facilitate ongoing employee education and cybersecurity training, utilizing resources like the Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform to cultivate practical cybersecurity competencies.
- Deploy robust endpoint and network protection and monitoring solutions, such as those from the Kaspersky Next product line, tailored to accommodate enterprises of various sizes.
Source link: Arqam.news.
