CYBER-RESILIENCE

36.5 % admitted to having even more – with half to a full screen covered in them. Meanwhile, 43.5 % of respondents also keep more than 10 tabs open in their browser at any given time. Excessive icons and open tabs do more than distract attention and fuel procrastination – they can slow device performance and, in the case of unused applications, quietly collect data.

Interestingly, most employees regularly disinfect their keyboards and phone surfaces( 23 % have adopted this habit since the COVID pandemic). However, digital cleanliness has not kept pace: 50 % of respondents remove needless files once a month or more often; the rest perform digital clean-ups far less frequently – once a quarter, or even once a year. t the recent Cyber Security Weekend

2026 conference, Kaspersky shared the findings from its survey titled“ Cybersecurity in the workplace: Employee knowledge and behavior” which was arranged among employees from the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa( META) region. The study highlights that everyday IT habits, including decluttering computers and reducing digital fatigue, can have a direct and often underestimated impact on an organisation’ s cyber-resilience.

The Kaspersky survey points to a growing challenge of digital fatigue in the workplace. 14 % of employees surveyed in Saudi Arabia confirmed that they made IT-related mistakes due to lack of cybersecurity knowledge – a figure that shows the critical importance of continuous cybersecurity training and awareness programs. Among other reasons behind IT mistakes, respondents cited being in a hurry( 28 %), oversight( 13 %), being tired or stressed( 14 %) and having too many notifications( 12 %). The constant barrage of alerts, messages, and on-screen clutter is becoming an acute problem that can lead to costly IT errors, overlooked social engineering attacks, and even to cyber breaches.

The survey also examined employees’ digital workspace habits. An overwhelming 45 % of respondents reported having between 10 and 20 icons on their desktop, while

Simplifying your digital environment is not just a productivity tip, it is a cybersecurity measure.

Managing digital noise is key to staying alert: only essential notifications should remain active, especially during periods of deep focus on critical project deliverables. Regular breaks are just as vital for maintaining both well-being and cyber vigilance. According to the survey, 75 % of respondents spend their work breaks eating or drinking, while 64.5 % chat with friends and colleagues. However, stretching and physical exercise is a more effective way to relieve stress and recharge focus – a habit adopted by only 18.5 % of employees.

“ It is important to recognise that digital fatigue is a real and growing stress factor: the constant stream of notifications, cluttered screens, and information overload gradually erode focus and make employees far more susceptible to mistakes and social engineering attacks. Simplifying your digital environment is not just a productivity tip, it is a cybersecurity measure”, said Brandon Muller, senior security consultant for the META region at Kaspersky.

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