Mexico has emerged as a focal point for cybercrime, registering a staggering 108 million cyberattacks in the past year, equating to an average of 297,000 incidents per day, according to cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. The company highlights that the government and industrial sectors are bearing the brunt of these attacks, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Fabio Assolini, Director of the Global Research and Analysis Team in Latin America at Kaspersky, links this troubling trend to persistent threats targeting critical infrastructure and public services. “It is crucial that organizations reinforce their defenses, and that users remain alert,” Assolini emphasized, reflecting the increasing sophistication of cyber threats.
The report categorizes Mexico among the countries with the highest concentration of cyberattacks in Latin America. Notably, the government sector accounts for 41.88% of all incidents detected across the region, making it the most targeted. Industrial operations follow closely, with 19.30% of incidents attributed to vulnerabilities associated with operational technologies, interconnected assets, and software dependencies.
Two primary vectors of attack have been identified: trojans and adware. Trojans masquerade as legitimate software to acquire credentials and siphon off personal or financial information. These malicious programs typically propagate through email attachments, compromised websites, or unauthorized downloads, allowing attackers to navigate deeper into corporate networks once executed. Meanwhile, adware generates intrusive advertising aimed at driving user interaction, leading to potential breaches of personal information and enabling the installation of more advanced malware.
The predominance of cyberattacks in the government and industrial sectors highlights the broader exposure faced by organizations managing sensitive data flows. Public institutions are tasked with processing essential records, while industrial entities rely on supervisory control and data acquisition systems that are often prime targets for disruption, espionage, or data extraction.
Kaspersky recommends three core practices for both users and organizations to mitigate these risks: first, verify the authenticity of senders before engaging with files or links; second, ensure operating systems are updated to close vulnerabilities frequently exploited by attackers; and finally, avoid reusing passwords across multiple systems. These practices are critical in fostering a more secure digital environment.
Given the sustained volume of cyberattacks, organizations in Mexico would benefit from a comprehensive evaluation of their cybersecurity posture. Continuous monitoring, regular training programs, segmentation of critical systems, and the adoption of zero-trust models are essential steps for enhancing security. For sectors governed by regulatory obligations, such as government, manufacturing, and energy, fortifying incident response capabilities is vital to ensure operational continuity.
The alarming rise in cyberattacks underscores the growing significance of cybersecurity as a strategic priority for organizations across Mexico. With the rapidly evolving threat landscape, proactive measures will be essential in safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure against malicious activities.
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