Latin American nations are advancing their digital infrastructure, yet security maturity often trails behind the pace of technological adoption. A recent synthesis of data from 2025 indicates that while regional awareness is growing, organizations face a complex environment characterized by persistent threat activity and structural resource gaps.
Intel 471’s 2025 report on the region, alongside findings from the Organization of American States (OAS), provides a data-driven view of this environment. While the OAS notes progress in security posture across member states, the frequency and sophistication of security incidents have intensified.
Statistical Overview of Regional Activity
The data reflects a marked increase in hostile activity targeting Latin American entities. Intel 471 recorded more than 450 ransomware events in the region last year, a 78% increase compared to 2024. The first quarter of 2025 alone showed a 108% year-over-year rise in disclosed incidents.
Beyond ransomware, the research identified:
Over 200 initial access brokers (IABs) actively targeting regional entities.
Multiple Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) clusters operating globally with regional interests.
At least 119 ideologically motivated groups active across 15 countries.
On average, organizations in the region encounter 2,640 security incidents per week, surpassing the global average of 1,955. Analysts attribute this volume to rapid digital transformation, configuration gaps in cloud environments, and the use of automation and artificial intelligence by threat actors to scale their operations.
Significant Incidents and Impact
Recent events illustrate the financial and operational risks present in the region. In June 2025, C&M Software, a financial technology provider in Brazil, experienced a security compromise involving insider access credentials. This unauthorized access allowed for the diversion of 800 million Brazilian reals (approximately $148 million) across eight financial institutions. Later in the year, the DragonForce ransomware group claimed responsibility for additional activity targeting the same entity.
Also in June, the threat group Brigada Cyber PMC reported the exfiltration of more than 7 million records containing personally identifiable information (PII) from Paraguayan government systems. The actors set a ransom demand of approximately $7.4 million, calculating the figure at $1 per citizen record.
Geographic and Sector Distribution
Brazil remains the primary focus of activity in the region, accounting for 30% of tracked ransomware and extortion events. This correlates with the country's population size and economic footprint. Mexico followed with 14% of recorded events, and Argentina with 13%.
Threat actors primarily targeted the following sectors:
Consumer and industrial products.
Energy, natural resources, and agriculture.
Professional services and consulting.
Mechanisms of Fraud and Social Engineering
Financial fraud remains a dominant vector in the region, largely driven by social engineering. Email and SMS phishing are the most common initial access mechanisms. Researchers also noted the prevalence of fraudulent call centers that redirect users to resolve fabricated issues such as e-commerce transaction errors or delivery disputes. Instant messaging platforms, particularly WhatsApp, are frequently used to impersonate financial institutions and logistics providers.
Strategic Challenges and the Path Forward
The disparity between digitalization and security maturity presents a long-term challenge. The OAS report highlights that while cyber risk awareness is rising, structural barriers remain. These include limited cross-sector collaboration, a shortage of skilled security professionals, and inconsistent budget allocation.
Intel 471’s assessment suggests that meaningful risk reduction will require sustained effort. The development and harmonization of national cybersecurity policies are proceeding slowly relative to the speed of threat actor innovation.
For security leaders operating in Latin America, the transition of cybersecurity from a technical issue to a strategic priority is essential. Strengthening resilience will depend on improving regulatory enforcement, fostering public-private cooperation, and enhancing regional information sharing to counter financially motivated threat groups.