Specialist points out seven trends that should shape the regional technological landscape, with emphasis on cybersecurity and regulation
The promise of technological innovation that dominated discussions in recent years is beginning to give way to a more critical reflection on the real challenges that companies and governments will face in the coming months. Artificial intelligence is consolidating in corporate environments while cyberattacks become more sophisticated, regulation intensifies, and sustainability becomes unavoidable. This complex scenario is redefining priorities for Latin America in 2026.
According to Sandro Tonholo, Territory Manager at Infoblox in Brazil, the moment demands less dazzlement and more strategy from organizations. "The focus is much more on rethinking security, governance, and digital responsibility models than on simply adopting tools," he says. For him, companies that fail to structure this movement risk technical, legal, and reputational exposure.
Cyber threats are gaining artificial intelligence
The first major transformation lies in the nature of attacks. Criminal groups are already using artificial intelligence to create more convincing phishing campaigns and automate vulnerability exploitation. Data confirms the trend: in early 2025, Latin America recorded a nearly 40% increase in cyberattacks, with an average of over 2,700 incidents per week, surpassing the global average.
Among the most concerning attacks are AI-based malware and ransomware, as well as deepfake campaigns used in electoral contexts in Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia. Faced with this escalation, traditional defense models prove insufficient, requiring strategies based on predictive threat modeling and automated responses.
Regional response is organizing
The response, however, is also advancing. Programs such as Google for Startups have selected companies from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico to develop AI-based security solutions. The message from authorities and the private sector converges: investment in local strategies and predictive defenses is essential to keep pace with the speed of threats.
In Brazil, updates to the National Cybersecurity Strategy (E-Ciber) and stricter enforcement of the General Data Protection Law (LGPD) signal regulatory tightening. Mexico's Central Bank launched a multi-year cybersecurity plan, while Chile and Colombia advance in incident response policies. Panama, Paraguay, and Costa Rica follow a similar movement.
"For companies, compliance is no longer a supplement and now demands real-time governance and adaptive trust models," highlights Tonholo.
DNS becomes a strategic stronghold
A technical component previously neglected is gaining prominence: the Domain Name System (DNS). More than half of phishing attacks in Latin America exploit weaknesses related to this infrastructure, yet only about 20% of companies effectively use DNS intelligence.
Regional initiatives are beginning to fill this gap. CERTs from countries such as Chile and Peru are driving the strengthening of this layer of protection. In Brazil, NIC.br and the Cyber Defense Center (CDCiber) lead collaborative efforts. The expectation is that visibility and DNS-based blocking will become basic requirements in mature security strategies.
Talent shortage drives automation
The lack of qualified cybersecurity professionals remains a structural challenge, exacerbated by budgetary constraints. To address this, initiatives such as Latamforce and the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan (PBIA) aim to train thousands of professionals, while accelerators in Mexico, Chile, and Colombia are driving the development of AI-based tools.
In the corporate environment, the solution lies in automation: Security Operations Centers (SOCs) supported by artificial intelligence, intelligent alerting systems, and automated response mechanisms will allow organizations to maintain efficient operations even with leaner teams.
Sustainability comes into play
The so-called Green IT is no longer optional and has definitively entered the core of corporate decision-making. Countries in Latin America are advancing in the creation of carbon markets and disclosure rules, aligned with global frameworks such as the ISSB.
Brazil leads with laws requiring climate risk reporting and emission limits, while Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru follow suit. Companies investing in data centers powered by renewable energy and transparent emissions tracking will not only meet regulatory requirements but also position themselves as leaders in a market increasingly attentive to the environmental impact of technology.
Digital ethics gains urgency
As artificial intelligence becomes commonplace in organizations, ethical use and human impact dominate discussions. Companies will need to establish clear guidelines on equity, transparency, and responsibility in the use of AI systems.
"Beyond regulatory compliance, the focus will be on ensuring technology serves people, rather than replacing them," concludes Tonholo. Solutions that respect privacy, reduce bias, and strengthen trust will be competitive differentiators, not just moral choices. Human-centered innovation emerges as the inevitable path for companies seeking to thrive in the new Latin American technological landscape.