Microsoft, OAS Expand Cybersecurity Alliance in Latin America

Microsoft and the Organization of American States (OEA) are expanding their regional collaboration to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities, improve institutional preparedness, and support the responsible adoption of emerging technologies across Latin America. 

Microsoft and the Organization of American States (OAS) announced an expanded strategic collaboration to strengthen digital resilience across Latin America. The initiative focuses on cybersecurity, government capacity building, and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies as cyber threats continue to affect economic stability and digital trust across the region.

“Digital resilience is no longer only a technology issue; it is a strategic component of competitiveness and economic development,” says Steven Masada, Director of the Digital Crimes Unit, Microsoft. “Working alongside the OAS allows us to scale institutional capabilities and support governments in an increasingly sophisticated digital risk environment.”

The expansion of the partnership comes as organizations across Latin America face a growing volume of cyber threats that are increasingly complex, transnational, and costly. As digital transformation initiatives continue across public and private sectors, cybersecurity has become a key factor in protecting economic activity, maintaining operational continuity, and preserving trust in digital services.

Governments throughout the region are accelerating the digitization of public services, adopting cloud-based infrastructure, and exploring AI applications. While these technologies create opportunities for efficiency and growth, they also expand the attack surface available to cybercriminals and threat actors.

Against this backdrop, public-private collaboration is emerging as a critical mechanism for addressing cybersecurity challenges that no single institution can manage independently. The initiative also reflects increasing recognition that cybersecurity extends beyond technical infrastructure. Digital resilience now plays a direct role in economic competitiveness, investment attraction, regulatory confidence, and the protection of critical services.

Regional Cybersecurity Capacity Building Takes Center Stage

As part of the expanded collaboration, Microsoft and the OAS will advance a series of initiatives designed to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities across the region.

One priority area involves enhancing national and regional cybersecurity capacities with a focus on prevention, detection, and incident response. Strengthening these capabilities can help governments identify threats earlier, coordinate responses more effectively, and reduce the operational disruption associated with cyber incidents.

The organizations also plan to facilitate the exchange of threat intelligence and cybersecurity best practices. Information sharing has become an important component of modern cyber defense strategies because threat actors often operate across jurisdictions and target multiple sectors simultaneously. A broader regional perspective can improve visibility into emerging risks and strengthen collective preparedness.

Another component of the initiative centers on training public officials and decision-makers. As cybersecurity increasingly intersects with public policy, regulatory frameworks, and technology governance, governments require both technical expertise and strategic understanding to manage digital risks effectively. Capacity-building efforts are expected to help align policy development with cybersecurity requirements while supporting informed decisions regarding technology adoption and risk management.

The collaboration will also promote the safe and responsible use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. As AI adoption accelerates across both public and private sectors, organizations face new governance challenges related to security, transparency, and risk mitigation.

Microsoft and the OAS aim to support frameworks that encourage innovation while addressing cybersecurity considerations associated with these technologies. The organizations view responsible technology adoption as a factor that can contribute to productivity growth and economic development.

Ivan Marques, Secretary for Multidimensional Security, OAS, emphasizes the importance of cooperation between governments and industry participants in addressing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. “Facing cyber threats that no country can confront alone, the OAS works to build partnerships with the private sector for the benefit of our member states,” says Marques. “Our collaboration with Microsoft will help strengthen cyber threat intelligence and contribute to building a safer and more resilient digital future for the Americas.”

Beyond cybersecurity preparedness, the initiative highlights the broader concept of digital resilience. Rather than focusing solely on prevention, digital resilience encompasses the ability of institutions to adapt, respond, and recover rapidly from disruptions while minimizing economic and operational impacts.

The announcement also signals continued investment in regional cooperation models that combine technological expertise with policy development and institutional support. Such approaches are gaining relevance as cyber threats become more interconnected across sectors and geographic boundaries.