# Cybersecurity threats to Latin American SMEs

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cybersecurity-threats-to-latin-american-smes
> Updated: 2026-10-05T15:26:37.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 3.

Discussions regarding regional cybersecurity resilience have highlighted the growing vulnerability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in Latin America. During the LATAM CISO Summit, officials emphasized the necessity of regional cooperation to address digital threats that transcend borders, focusing on areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud security, and critical infrastructure protection. Subsequent data from a Kaspersky study confirms these vulnerabilities, reporting that 86% of SMEs with fewer than 500 employees experienced at least one security incident in the past year. In Latin America, these attacks have resulted in significant economic losses, business process disruptions, and service suspensions. Specifically, 31% of affected SMBs reported direct economic losses, 27% faced disruptions to internal business processes, and 25% had to suspend customer-facing services. In Brazil, research from the Markets Innovation & Technology Institute indicates that digital maturity is at an intermediate stage, with a 58% adherence rate to cybersecurity best practices. Experts from ARX CYBER note that many organizations struggle to translate technical information into strategic decisions, often focusing on tools rather than a consolidated view of processes and risks. The landscape is further complicated by emerging technologies. While the primary drivers of incidents remain phishing, ransomware, and weak credentials, executives at Sensedia warn that the adoption of autonomous AI agents introduces “exponential security risks compared to traditional APIs,” necessitating stricter governance and control over AI implementation. Recent findings extend these concerns to the retail sector, where approximately 36% of surveyed organizations reported financial losses following their most severe incident in the last year. Beyond direct costs, 30% of these companies reported the theft of intellectual property or R&D data, and 30% suffered reputational damage. Key vulnerabilities include a lack of centralized IT control (40%) and the use of outdated software or hardware (31%).

## Timeline

### 2026-10-05: Cybersecurity threats impact Latin American retail and drive demand for experts

Cyberattacks are causing financial and operational losses for 36% of Latin American retailers, prompting 79% of regional companies to increase cybersecurity investments and demand for specialists.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cybersecurity-threats-impact-latin-american-retail-and-drive-demand-for-experts

### 2026-09-29: Cyberattacks impact SMBs in Latin America and Brazil

Cyberattacks are increasingly impacting SMBs in Latin America and Brazil, causing direct financial losses, operational disruptions, and new security risks through the adoption of autonomous AI agents.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kaspersky-report-86-of-smes-face-cybersecurity-incidents

### 2026-09-14: Cybersecurity resilience discussed at LATAM CISO Summit amid rising SME threats

Panama participates in the LATAM CISO Summit to bolster regional cybersecurity, while a Kaspersky report shows 86% of SMEs faced cyber incidents last year, with phishing being a primary threat.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cybersecurity-resilience-discussed-at-latam-ciso-summit-amid-rising-sme-threats

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Cite as: Cybersecurity threats to Latin American SMEs. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cybersecurity-threats-to-latin-american-smes