Latin America’s Digital Security Governance Under Fire
As cyberattacks continue to plague the region, experts are calling for a robust national policy and increased awareness to protect against threats.
Brazil: The Most Attacked Country in Latin America
According to Palo Alto Networks, Brazil has emerged as the most attacked country in Latin America, with the region ranking among the top 10 globally. The country’s lack of awareness and education about cybersecurity best practices and risks is a major concern, says Reisinger, a cyber expert.
Motivations Behind Cyberattacks
Not all hackers are motivated by financial gain. Activist groups, such as Guacamaya, claim they are fighting against oppression and neocolonialism by leaking stolen data. Geopolitical events also play a significant role in the choice of targets for many cyber-actors, says Reisinger.
Digital Manipulation of Information
The digital manipulation of information has been an ongoing challenge for governments and electoral processes. The Brazilian electoral court suffered several attacks during the 2020 regional elections, which delayed the vote counting process and left citizens suspicious of the system.
Solutions to the Challenges
Experts agree that the solutions are clear:
- A national policy is essential
- Implementing it requires political will, technology, resources, personnel, and awareness
- A dedicated budget line for cybersecurity is crucial, just like for national defense
- A clear path for law enforcement to investigate and curb impunity would also increase protection
- Companies and public institutions must have clear channels of communication with authorities and reporting requirements to facilitate investigations
Preparation of Region’s Diplomats
Preparation of region’s diplomats is also essential, given the role of multilateral organizations in addressing the challenge cooperatively. “The threat will almost inevitably increase, but more than alarm, we need an acceptance of reality,” says Barret.
Role of Multilateral Organizations
The OAS has been pushing member states to work together and offering training and technical resources. However, trust between the private sector and governments remains a major hurdle, as well as cooperating without colluding in a way that could violate anti-trust laws.
Importance of Basic Training
Experts agree that basic training at every level of any organization is critical, as human error is the main cause of 95% of cyber breaches. Knowing the risk and raising the alarm can prevent simple mistakes from becoming major disasters.
Collective Effort Needed
As Latin America faces this digital security governance challenge, it’s clear that a collective effort is needed to protect against threats and ensure the region’s digital infrastructure is secure.