The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICITE) have released a report on Latin American and Caribbean Cybersecurity Trends and Government Responses, prepared in collaboration with  Trend Micro.

The report illustrates and analyzes cyber security and cyber crime trends in the region, and  contains detailed information on cyber threats in the Americas, and for the first time incorporates the perspectives and experiences of OAS Member State governments.

The report found an overall increase in cyber attacks; an increase in ‘hacktivism,’ or politically motivated hacking; internet-assisted money laundering; and attacks against critical infrastructure. Other trends discussed include levels of malware, spam, and wire fraud.

Conclusions highlighted in the report signal a pressing need to “maintain parity with those seeking to exploit digital vulnerabilities.” The lack of resources dedicated to building cyber security capacity and the scarcity of specialized knowledge and experience needed to secure networks and implement effective policies are two of the things that the report cites as hindering information security.

In its conclusions, the report contends that “organized crime groups are increasingly cyber-capable and hacker groups are growing in number and sophistication.”

You can find a copy of the report here.