Kaspersky Lab, commonly known as Kaspersky, is a cybersecurity firm headquartered in Moscow, Russia, offering endpoint protection, threat intelligence, EDR, cloud security and enterprise security solutions. The company specializes in malware research, advanced threat detection and managed security services for businesses and consumers. Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) is widely cited for uncovering high-profile cyber campaigns and publishing threat intelligence that informs the industry. The organization emphasizes technical expertise, continuous learning and research-driven culture, making it attractive to security analysts, threat researchers and software engineers. A unique detail: Kaspersky’s threat research teams have historic recognition for discovering sophisticated nation-state and criminal malware, shaping industry awareness. The company’s reputation in cybersecurity centers on deep technical capabilities and a focus on research publications and community collaboration. For job seekers, the workplace offers hands-on exposure to incident response, malware analysis and security engineering within an organization known for rigorous investigations and global security contributions.
People who work there often describe a technically strong environment where you will learn a lot about cybersecurity. “I joined for the tech and stayed for the people,” one developer said, while another tester noted the product-focused mindset and the respect for research. You will hear both praise for deep technical projects and occasional frustration about bureaucracy. Overall, testimonials tend to highlight meaningful work, supportive teammates, and a solid peer-learning culture.
Company culture at Kaspersky Lab centers on research excellence and practical security outcomes. The environment values technical rigor, long-term thinking, and intellectual curiosity. There is a respect for expertise, and many employees feel their contributions matter to the product and to customers. People who appreciate a mission-driven and technically oriented workplace will likely enjoy the culture; those preferring a startup vibe may find it more structured.
Work-life balance at Kaspersky Lab varies by team and role. Some teams are quite flexible and will let you shape your hours, especially in research and remote-friendly positions, while customer-facing or incident-response roles can require late hours during critical events. Many employees say managers are understanding about personal time, though occasional crunches around product releases are common. Overall, you will find a reasonable balance if you communicate boundaries and manage expectations.
Job security is generally stable for core technical and long-tenured roles. There is an emphasis on retaining talent with specialized skills, particularly in threat research, engineering, and product development. Organizational shifts and strategic pivots have occurred, but layoffs are not routine. You will want to maintain strong performance and keep skills current to remain well-positioned during any structural changes.
Leadership focuses on technical credibility and product quality. Senior leaders are often experienced in cybersecurity and drive decisions from a product and research perspective. Communication from the top can be clear around strategy, though some employees report that execution details sometimes lag behind high-level direction. Management tends to reward technical contributions and strategic thinking, with an expectation of accountability.
Managers are frequently described as supportive and technically competent, particularly in engineering and research teams. Good managers will invest in your development, provide regular feedback, and advocate for resources. However, experiences can vary; some teams face micromanagement or slower decision cycles. When evaluating a role, pay attention to the specific manager and team fit, as that often determines day-to-day satisfaction.
Learning and development are solid. Employees will have access to internal training, conferences, and research projects that expand domain expertise in cybersecurity. There is encouragement to publish and attend industry events, and technical staff often collaborate with academic communities. Formal career-path training exists but may be less structured than in larger corporates; proactive learners will thrive.
Promotion opportunities exist, particularly for technical tracks and product leadership. Progression is merit-based, and high performers will find paths to senior engineer, researcher, or management roles. That said, promotion timelines can be conservative, and competition is higher for leadership positions. Employees should document achievements and align goals with managerial expectations to improve promotion prospects.
Salary ranges are competitive within the cybersecurity market and will generally align with regional industry standards. Technical roles such as threat researchers and senior engineers command higher pay, while entry-level positions are more modest. Compensation is typically tied to experience, location, and role complexity. Candidates should benchmark offers against similar firms and consider total compensation rather than base salary alone.
Bonuses and incentives are present and are often linked to company performance and individual goals. You will see a mix of annual bonuses, performance-based rewards, and sometimes project-specific incentives. The structure can vary by region and role. High performers typically receive recognition through monetary and non-monetary rewards.
Health and insurance benefits meet standard expectations for an international tech firm. Medical, dental, and sometimes vision coverage are commonly offered, with specifics depending on country and local office policies. Additional benefits may include wellness programs and employee assistance resources. Overall, the package provides reasonable security for employees and their families.
Employee engagement is fostered through hackathons, internal talks, and research showcases. Events range from informal team gatherings to larger company-wide meetups and tech conferences. These activities build community and promote knowledge sharing. You will find opportunities to connect across functions and learn from peers.
Remote work support is established, with many teams operating in hybrid or fully remote modes. Tools for collaboration, secure access, and communication are in place, reflecting the company’s global footprint. Remote hires are integrated into teams and can participate in meetings, trainings, and events. Remote candidates should confirm expectations with hiring managers regarding overlap hours and local office resources.
Average working hours are close to standard full-time expectations, typically around 40 hours per week. Some roles require additional time during incidents, releases, or research pushes. The schedule is often flexible, so you will be able to manage personal commitments if you plan ahead and coordinate with your manager.
Attrition rate tends to be moderate, with voluntary departures often linked to career moves or geographic relocations. There have been periodic reorganizations reflecting market and strategic changes, but widespread layoffs are not the norm. When reorganizations occur, the company generally aims for transparent communication and support for impacted employees.
Overall, the company offers a strong environment for people serious about cybersecurity. You will find intellectually stimulating work, competent leadership, and reasonable benefits, with solid opportunities for learning and career growth. Company culture at Kaspersky Lab and work-life balance at Kaspersky Lab are generally favorable for those who value technical depth and mission-driven projects. For job seekers evaluating working at Kaspersky Lab, it is recommended to assess team fit and manager style during interviews to ensure the best match.
Read authentic experiences from current and former employees at Kaspersky Lab
Good training in product and threat handling when you join, steady workload and clear escalation paths.
Shift work can be tough and there is limited vertical progression in the support track. Communication with other regions can be slow.
Friendly colleagues and decent benefits like health coverage and training allowances. Good onboarding experience for new hires.
Pay is modest compared to market and promotion opportunities were limited. Management communication was inconsistent at times.
Good product focus and cross-functional collaboration. Kaspersky invests in product research and customers respect the brand.
Decision making can be slow and there is a fair amount of legacy tech that slows feature development.
Strong brand recognition which made client conversations easier. Supportive local team and decent training for product knowledge.
Targets were often unrealistic and long hours were common. Recent restructuring made roles unstable and I eventually left.
Interesting security projects and a flexible work-from-home policy. Good mentorship and peer code reviews help you grow quickly.
Compensation is below some competitors in London and career path can be unclear for mid-level engineers.
Really strong focus on research and threat intelligence. Talented colleagues and plenty of internal conferences and papers. Good benefits and clear investment in specialist tools.
Some internal processes can be bureaucratic and slow. Office politics occasionally gets in the way of faster decisions.