Kaspersky Lab to increase regional workforce by 30%

The computer security firm Kaspersky Lab is expecting growth of 21 per cent by the end of this year across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) Region.

"From 2011 to 2012, the growth was 21 per cent so we are also targeting the same this year if not more," said Khalid Abu Baker, the managing director at Kaspersky Lab Middle East. "The UAE and Saudi Arabia will be driving this growth."

The rise in security threats across the region and better awareness of security has helped to push up the Russian firm's sales.

To keep up with the expected growth, Kaspersky Middle East, which has its headquarters in Dubai, will be strengthening its workforce by 30 per cent across the region by the end of this year.

Kaspersky is also hoping to boost its sales in the corporate space. Currently consumer sales for its products account for 55 per cent of total sales.

The company is shifting its focus on to government and enterprise so that corporate sales account for 55 per cent by the end of the year.

Government sales currently make up 50 per cent of the total.

"We have seen more and more awareness and entities are now opening doors for investigation. Before that door was closed, no one would say that they were under attack, but now finding a solution is much more important than hiding attacks," said Mr Abu Baker.

According to Kaspersky the region's banking and financial sector, industries and big enterprises are under the most threat, with attacks motivated by financial gain as well as the intention to steal intellectual property.

Given the political climate in parts of the region, the Middle East has become one of the world's most targeted regions for cyber attacks. In recent years, sophisticated attacks such as Flame, Gauss and Shamoon targeting government institutions and specific businesses have become more prevalent.