IBM, through its X-Force Threat Intelligence division, has published a report placing Latin America at the center of the global cybersecurity conversation. The study reveals a sustained increase in cyberattacks across the region during 2025, exposing both governments and businesses to escalating risks that threaten economic stability and digital trust.
According to the data, critical sectors such as banking, telecommunications, energy, and healthcare have been the most affected. Attackers—growing in sophistication—are deploying tactics ranging from ransomware and advanced phishing to intrusions in industrial control systems. The report underscores that in many cases, these attacks originate from state-sponsored actors or financially motivated groups exploiting weaknesses in the region’s digital infrastructure.
One of the most concerning findings is that Latin America is becoming a testing ground for new attack strategies that are later replicated in other parts of the world. This positions the region not only as a target, but also as a laboratory for the evolution of cyber threats.
Institutional and corporate responses, however, remain uneven. While some countries have advanced in regulatory frameworks and the creation of cybersecurity centers, many small and medium-sized enterprises still lack the resources to safeguard their data. This gap increases exposure to attacks and indirectly undermines the region’s competitiveness.
IBM calls for stronger public–private partnerships, greater investment in specialized talent, and the adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence for early threat detection. The company stresses that cybersecurity can no longer be treated as a cost, but as a strategic asset shaping the trust of customers, investors, and citizens.
With this report, IBM raises an urgent challenge: Latin America cannot afford to wait until cyberattacks cause irreversible damage. Digital protection must become a pillar of economic and social development in the years ahead.