Cybersecurity has shifted from a purely technical issue to a core element in organizations' strategic decisions. In a digital landscape with systemic risks and AI advancements, it safeguards institutional continuity and social trust. Author Luis Wertman Zaslav emphasizes the need for cyberresilience and collaboration.
In his opinion column in El Financiero, Luis Wertman Zaslav argues that cybersecurity now defines organizational continuity, the stability of essential services, and public trust. "Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue; it has moved to the center of strategic decision-making," he writes.
Digital risks accelerate and become systemic, driven by artificial intelligence that enhances threat detection but also enables more sophisticated and automated attacks. Technology amplifies capabilities, but without clear governance, it multiplies errors. In a fragmented international context with complex supply chains and hidden technological dependencies, an incident at a provider can trigger cascading effects on operations, finances, and reputation.
Leadership perceptions have shifted: threats like digital fraud, identity theft, and information manipulation are everyday occurrences. Damage to social trust outweighs economic harm, as people question institutions when they lose faith in systems. Cyberresilience gauges organizational maturity: it is not about preventing all attacks, but anticipating, resisting, responding, and recovering while maintaining direction and legitimacy.
Gaps remain, including a shortage of specialized talent, legacy systems, and incomplete understanding of third-party risks. Artificial intelligence, if poorly governed, shifts critical decisions to systems lacking ethical context. Digital crime now impacts families, the elderly, and small businesses, making it a social concern.
An effective response lies in shared responsibility: exchanging information, coordinating efforts, and raising standards. "Digital trust is not decreed; it is built with leadership, discipline, and collaboration," Zaslav states. The key question is preparedness for incidents without losing trust, direction, or values, as protecting the digital realm safeguards people, institutions, and the common future.
