Mexico’s Vulnerabilities, Political Scams: Cyber Week

IQSEC has reported significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Nuevo León's banking, health, and telecommunications sectors. Additionally, the global cybersecurity talent shortage, with a deficit of nearly 4 million professionals, poses heightened risks, particularly in Latin America and Mexico, where the shortfall exceeds 300,000.

Internationally, the United Kingdom healthcare system is grappling with a Synnovis ransomware attack. In the political sphere, cybercriminals are targeting Trump supporters with donation scams. Meanwhile, France is offering US$750 million to acquire Atos's big data and cybersecurity division to safeguard national interests.

Ready? This is your week in Cybersecurity.

Mexico

IQSEC Reports Vulnerabilities in Nuevo León's Banking, Health and Telecommunications Sectors

Nuevo León faces significant challenges in cybersecurity, especially in sectors such as banking, healthcare and telecommunications, due to the high amount of sensitive data. IQSEC highlights that the most common frauds are unrecognized charges on bank cards, with more than 2,700 claims in 2023. It is recommended to implement strategies such as multi-factor authentication, data encryption and rigorous access management to protect against cyber-attacks and identity fraud in the digital era.

Global Cybersecurity Talent Shortage Heightens Risks for Businesses

The cybersecurity talent shortage poses increasing risks for businesses globally, with estimates indicating a shortfall of nearly 4 million professionals worldwide. In Latin America, including Mexico, the deficit exceeds 300,000, hindering organizations' ability to defend against rising cyber threats. 

“Industry efforts to develop the next generation of cybersecurity experts are crucial amid challenges in updating academic curricula and training programs to match the rapid evolution of cybersecurity landscapes,” Jaime Berditchevsky, General Manager Mexico, Kaspesky. “Closing the skills gap requires collaborative efforts across academia, industry, and enhanced investment in specialized training and technologies”.

International

UK Healthcare Reels from Ransomware Fallout

The recent ransomware attack on Synnovis, a leading provider of pathology and diagnostic services in the UK, has had a significant impact on the London healthcare system, crippling essential services, affecting thousands of patients, and demanding health care workers to work overtime.

Cybercriminals Target Trump Supporters with Donation Scams

Cybercriminals are targeting Trump supporters with donation scams, impersonating his campaign via phishing emails and fake websites to exploit his recent legal troubles. The scams surged after Trump's campaign began accepting cryptocurrency donations and raised US$50 million post-conviction. Using AI-generated content to create convincing messages, scammers lure victims to fraudulent sites mimicking official campaign pages. Researchers from Netcraft identified these scams and are gathering intelligence to disrupt the operations.

France Seeks to Protect National Interests With Bid for Atos Cybersec

France is bidding US$750 million to acquire Atos's big data and cybersecurity division to protect national interests and retain control over critical technologies. This move aims to keep vital defense and infrastructure technology, including systems for the upcoming Paris Olympics, under domestic control. The financially troubled Atos had earlier received a higher bid from Airbus, which was withdrawn, prompting the French government to step in. The acquisition reflects France's strategy of maintaining sovereignty over key technological assets.