NEWS
Global cyberattacks surge across Latin America and Africa as ransomware activity rises
Check Point Research, the Threat Intelligence arm of Check
Point Software Technologies, has released its December 2025 Global Cyber Attack Statistics, revealing a cyberthreat landscape increasingly defined by ransomware growth, regional concentration of cyberattacks and rising data exposure linked to enterprise use of Generative AI.
In December 2025, organisations globally continued to face sustained cyberpressure, with the average number of cyberattacks per organisation per week reaching 2,027, a 1 % increase from the previous month, and a 9 % increase from December 2024.
Regionally, Latin America saw the sharpest increase in cyberattacks worldwide with organisations experiencing an average of 3,065 cyberattacks per week, representing a 26 % year-over-year increase, the highest growth rate of any region.
Africa saw a year-on-year decline, indicating a shift in criminal focus rather than a reduction in threat levels.
Of the four African countries included in the report, Nigeria at 4,622(+ 2 % YoY) had the highest number of weekly attacks per organisation, followed by Angola at 4,002 – 10 % YoY), Kenya at 2,130(– 41 % YoY) and South Africa 1,850( 17 % YoY).
The most attacked industries in Africa in December were financial services, transportation and logistics, and government.
“ The data highlights how attackers are expanding operations into fast-digitising regions where security maturity varies significantly,” said Hendrik de Bruin, Head Security Consulting, Check Point Software.
Costa Rica and IDB led regional dialogue on artificial intelligence in government
Costa Rica positioned itself as a benchmark for the digital agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean by hosting the first Regional Public Policy Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence – organized by the Government of Costa Rica and the Inter-American Development Bank( IDB).
Authorities from more than 20 countries, together with experts, academics and business leaders, participated in a high-level forum to discuss how AI was transforming public management and what governance frameworks were required to ensure its safe, ethical use aligned with citizen well-being.
The meeting advanced a shared roadmap for the responsible adoption of AI in the public sector, with emphasis on transparency, ethical data use and the reduction of structural gaps. Delegations worked in technical groups organized by subregions to align priorities, exchange lessons learned and define joint actions.
For Costa Rica, leading the dialogue reaffirmed the principle that artificial intelligence must serve people.
In line with the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the country promoted AI to modernize the State, foster local development, strengthen transparency and reduce inequalities within solid governance frameworks and a shared ethical vision.
Participants analyzed concrete AI applications in health, justice, public safety and administrative services, as well as risks associated with public-sector use.
The IDB and partner organizations, including the OECD, IDB Lab and ALETI, presented international experiences, regulatory approaches and tools to strengthen algorithmic governance.
The dialogue highlighted the importance of coordinated evidence-based public policies and reinforced commitment to innovation, rights protection and stronger public institutions.
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