Background on Key Players and Relevance
The Centro de Comando, Control, Cómputo, Comunicaciones y Contacto Ciudadano (C5) of Mexico City is responsible for managing the city’s surveillance systems. This includes video cameras installed across various public and private locations to ensure safety and security.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the principal federal law enforcement agency in the United States, responsible for investigating crimes against the nation and its citizens. The FBI’s agents often collaborate with international partners, including Mexican authorities, to combat transnational crime.
The Incident and C5’s Response
According to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General, a hacker working for the Sinaloa Cartel managed to infiltrate Mexico City’s surveillance system in 2018. The hacker aimed to track an FBI agent and identify potential informants, some of whom were allegedly intimidated or killed.
In response, the C5 issued a statement denying any misuse of their surveillance systems for such purposes. They emphasized that they conduct regular vulnerability assessments to prevent and mitigate risks, with robust protocols in place and coordination with local and federal security teams.
Contextualizing the Events
The C5 clarified that these events occurred during the administrations of Enrique Peña Nieto (federal government) and Miguel Ángel Mancera (Mexico City’s government) in 2018. During this period, the existence of organized crime was denied, and violence statistics were systematically manipulated while homicide rates reached record levels.
Since then, under the administration of Claudia Sheinbaum (current mayor of Mexico City), the surveillance system has been strengthened and expanded, quadrupling the number of cameras. The system was restructured under a comprehensive security scheme with segmented networks, hierarchical access, multi-factor authentication, and constant monitoring to prevent intrusions.
FBI’s Cyberrsecurity Incidents
The C5 also pointed out that the FBI has faced cybersecurity incidents in recent years (2012, 2020, 2021, and 2022). The U.S. Department of Justice report does not specify whether the allegedly used cameras were public or private.
Government’s Commitment to Cybersecurity
Under the current Mexico City government, led by Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, the Agencia Digital de Innovación Pública was instructed to prioritize cybersecurity and institutional safety through an integral strategy. This strategy focuses on protecting all technological layers and is based on a risk management approach, upholding the principles of technological autonomy and sovereignty.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the C5, and what systems did the hacker target? The Centro de Comando, Control, Cómputo, Comunicaciones y Contacto Ciudadano (C5) manages Mexico City’s surveillance systems, including video cameras across public and private locations. The hacker targeted these systems to track an FBI agent.
- Who is the Sinaloa Cartel, and why is it relevant? The Sinaloa Cartel is a powerful Mexican drug trafficking organization. Its involvement in this cybersecurity incident highlights the cartel’s sophisticated capabilities beyond traditional criminal activities.
- What actions has the C5 taken to improve security? The C5 has strengthened and expanded its surveillance system, quadrupling the number of cameras. They have implemented a comprehensive security scheme with segmented networks, hierarchical access, multi-factor authentication, and constant monitoring.
- What cybersecurity incidents has the FBI faced recently? The FBI has experienced cybersecurity breaches in 2012, 2020, 2021, and 2022. The U.S. Department of Justice report does not specify the nature or extent of these incidents.
- How has the Mexico City government addressed cybersecurity concerns? Under Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, the Agencia Digital de Innovación Pública has prioritized cybersecurity and institutional safety through an integral strategy based on risk management principles.
