Introduction
Technology’s inexorable influence shapes the success of transformation, and this reliance on digital tools is now embodied in Mexico’s National Cybersecurity Strategy.
The Need for a Robust Cybersecurity Framework
Modernizing public administration and combating cybercrime, under a national security approach, necessitates addressing existing shortcomings and building critical infrastructure. Currently, this infrastructure is under civilian control rather than military command.
Mandatory Implementation
The National Cybersecurity Strategy of the Fourth Transformation replaces the one from 2017, during the end of the Pena Nieto administration. Little remains from that initial effort to build a digital ecosystem to tackle emerging cyber threats.
Institutional Shift
The institutional epicenter linking the institutional framework has been repositioned at the Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency (ATDT), which now assumes several responsibilities in Mexico’s cybersecurity policies.
Implementation and Oversight
The Inter-Ministerial Commission for Information and Communication Technologies and Information Security (installed in 2023) is identified as the entity responsible for implementing federal cybersecurity policies across public administration, including the National Standardized Protocol for Cyber Incident Management.
The National Center for Cyber Incident Response is managed by the National Guard and serves as the primary contact point for coordinating cybersecurity incidents, whether at a national or international level. Other active entities include the Digital Forensics Laboratory CIBERCOM-AM and the National Center for Cybersecurity Operations.
Training and Preparedness
According to a recent report by the Inter-American Development Bank, police and judicial personnel training in digital evidence and cybercrime remains specific. The report highlights the need for more structured programs to address future cyberattacks, with Mexico recording over 324 million cyberattack attempts in 2024 alone, as acknowledged by the Digital Transformation Agency.
New Focus on Data Integration
The shift in focus is evident in the recruitment of new personnel to ATDT and the National Telecommunications Commission, where political science graduates from ITAM are no longer prioritized. Instead, professionals from public institutions like CIDE and UNAM are sought to integrate large data volumes for decision-making processes.
Leveraging Geospatial Data
The availability of large georeferenced databases has enabled new intervention and intelligent management models on the ground. Data mining and predicting geographical problems, needs, and behaviors through extensive use of automated learning techniques is the new paradigm.
Deficiencies in Data Science and Computational Statistics
Federal forces lack integration of computational statistics and spatial data science. Their senior leadership has had to rely on academic institutions and media partnerships to address this shortcoming in the short term.
Secondary Effects: Branch Closure and Interest
Competition for Branches
Following the closure of CI Banco, Intercam, and Vector, intervenors are now handling the sale of CI Banco branches. This initial lot comprises over 100 branches out of the 205 nationwide, which must be assigned soon. Interested parties include Mifel (Daniel Becker), Bankaool (Moisés Chaves), Santander (Héctor Grisi), and Kapital Bank (René Saúl).
