Cyberattacks in the Querétaro Industry

In Mexico, cyberattacks have been one of the risks that most concern companies, according to executives surveyed for the study “Perspectives of Senior Management in Mexico” by KPMG, a multidisciplinary firm that provides audit, tax, and advisory services to local, national, and multinational companies.

Hacking has been one of the biggest security challenges companies have faced, leading them to strengthen their cybersecurity strategies, according to Alfredo Sahagún Sánchez, president of the National Chamber of the Manufacturing Industry (Canacintra) in Querétaro.

“The most sensitive issue we’ve faced involves the hacking of large companies’ accounts. Hackers gain access to the accounts, steal the company’s information, and start targeting distributors or customers who buy these types of products on social media. I’m talking about a local company that has already experienced this problem and is still trying to resolve it,” he said.

The speaker shared the case of a company affiliated with the chamber, which has been dealing with this issue for approximately seven months. Individuals outside the company have hacked into the system and gained access to the company’s customer data, offering fake discounts on products and linking them to bank accounts that are using the company’s name fraudulently.

The company identified this attack when it began receiving complaints from customers who were ordering the product. According to the business owner, the case is already being handled by state and federal law enforcement agencies.

In addition, there have been reports of telephone extortion targeting members—a situation that the cyber police are already addressing in collaboration with the State Secretariat of Public Safety and the Attorney General’s Office.

As a result of these incidents, companies have had to strengthen their cybersecurity measures and systems in order to prevent data breaches.