PEMEX Strengthens Cybersecurity With New Data Center in CDMX

PEMEX announced the inauguration of a Main Data Center in Mexico City, which will be crucial for strengthening the company’s cybersecurity, as it faces around 100 billion cyberattacks per year, according to Octavio Romero, CEO, PEMEX.

"This is an outrageous number (of attacks), unthinkable. This center will provide us with the security that a company the size of PEMEX requires," stated Romero. As an example, in 2020, cybercriminals demanded a payment of US$4.9 million, which the company did not make. Since then, the cybersecurity system has been further reinforced.

Mexico City’s main data center will host over 400 business applications, of which 32 are considered essential. Additionally, 70 servers will be implemented, resulting in over 1,200 virtual servers to support PEMEX’s critical processes. The NOC also has 10 storage centers where all its information is collected and stored.

The PEMEX Business Plan for 2023-2027 considers the strengthening of cybersecurity in information technology and operational systems. This area of the NOC’s business was previously handled by third parties. However, with this data center, the company expects to save over MX$1 billion. "In the past, MX$2.1 billion were allocated to third-party services. Now, the expense will be reduced to MX$1 billion," said Romero. 

According to Verified Market Research, there has been a gradual momentum in cybersecurity, screening and detection, surveillance, security services and perimeter security over the years. However, research indicates that the market will witness a considerable upsurge during the forecasted period as there is growing demand for exploration and drilling, transportation, pipelines, distribution and retail services, among key players. Regarding exploration, 11 new oil discoveries were made during the first six months of the year, compared to the same period in 2021. PEMEX alone was responsible for six discoveries, while the private sector uncovered five oil fields in 2022, including DS Servicios Petroleros, Eni Mexico, Lukoil, Operadora Bloque 12 and Pantera.

Fernando Thompson, Chairman, TBsek, told MBN that the companies that are at the highest risk of facing cybersecurity threats are PEMEX, Condusef, SAT, Banxico, the Ministry of Public Administration, ISSSTE, the National Insurance and Finance Commission, Yo te Presto, Gentera, Universidad Panamericana, Maseca, CI Banco, Banco Base, Clip and Bitso, among thousands of others. “Cybercrime will cost the world US$10.5 billion a year by 2025, which is an exponentially disturbing figure … Hence the recommendation to hire cybersecurity products and services.”