ESET reports surge in ransomware attacks across Latin America

Cybersecurity firms warn that artificial intelligence is reshaping both threats and defenses for businesses. 2026 sees AI‑driven tools used to detect threats, automate patching and predict attacks, while cybercriminals also employ AI to craft more sophisticated ransomware and phishing campaigns.

ESET’s 2026 Latin America security report, based on responses from over 1,500 security professionals in 10 countries, found that 52.7% of organizations detected attempted attacks in the past year and that ransomware incidents rose 16.5% in the first half of 2026, with groups such as Qilin, The Gentlemen and Akira responsible for a third of the activity.

In Spain, Fortinet’s pay‑per‑use model is democratizing advanced protection, allowing SMEs to access next‑generation firewalls and threat‑intelligence services without large upfront costs. Companies such as Popular Seguros are pairing cyber‑insurance with AI‑enhanced risk assessments, while experts warn that patch‑management is becoming the next critical bottleneck as AI accelerates vulnerability discovery.

Mexico’s digital border initiatives also raise concerns, with authorities using AI‑based risk profiling for migrants, prompting calls for human‑rights‑focused safeguards.