Code of Honor

What are the main trends in the market when it comes to cybersecurity?

We have more than 10 years of experience working in Mexico and more than 21 years worldwide. We are a cybersecurity laboratory. Approximately 30% of our employees are focused on R&D, which gives us the strength to monitor and understand what happens nationally and internationally. Through our monitoring, we are witnessing 746 daily attacks on a global level, or nine attacks per second. We monitor more than 100 attackers that are composed of groups of spies with a strong arsenal of technology and tools to get information or money. We are also continuing to work on our antivirus program, which has grown by 18% in Mexico; however, intelligence, monitoring, initial response, and other technologies focused on the financial aspect of the industry have grown by 40%. AI is trending, and we can help protect that aspect. However, this technology is not enough, and analysis is necessary. The expertise of people with these tools creates the HuMachine technology, superior to AI. The consultancies that we offer help companies understand their infrastructure, processes, and vulnerabilities year by year based on the budget, needs, urgencies, or priorities. We assist in strategy and cybersecurity culture so that it is coherent at all levels. However, the person can be a point of vulnerability. Cybersecurity and technological innovation go in opposite directions, and we, as experts, must warn the industry about this because the attacks will be increasingly sophisticated.

Why is Mexico one of the 10 countries worldwide in terms of cyber attacks?

There is a lack of strategy and prevention. Companies do not take immediate actions after being attacked, and they let a long time pass without a contention reaction. The people in charge of cybersecurity both in government and in the private sector must have a reaction strategy. We always talk about data, though now we must talk about people. There are already cases of hacking of trains, subway, cars, water, gas, industrial machinery, and airports. We help more than 20 car manufacturers like Audi, BMW, and Mazda avoid being hacked when users connect to their automobiles. The Wi-Fi communication between the car and the user’s mobile device must be protected. The IoT is strong now, and someone else can access those devices and know one’s location by GPS or habit frequency. That is why it is important to change our home’s Wi-Fi password periodically. We must use secure channels to make bank transactions, recordings, and encrypted phone calls, among others.

What does the public sector need to do to increase cybersecurity in Mexico?

The public needs to be more aware of risks and attack channels that can affect people. We must be aware of the apps we use and the tools to protect them. This applies to everyone, from individuals to SMEs and large companies and industries. It is everyone’s job to have this information and understand what is happening.

How will the development of IoT impact the future of cybersecurity?

There are no borders anymore. Attacks can originate from anywhere in the world. The laws will change. We are promoting a transparency center in Switzerland to make clarifications without the participation of third parties such as Interpol Organization of American States (OAS) and other impartial entities. The trend toward the future is skepticism because there is a great deal of information, and we do not know what is real. Another trend is the strengthening of laws in case of an attack in any part of the world.