The Technical Secretariat of the National Security Council of Guatemala, the National Institute for Strategic Security Studies (INEES) and the Secretariat of Strategic Intelligence organized the first International Seminar on Cyber Security in the Latin American Context.
“Cyber security is one of the biggest challenges that the government led by President Alejandro Giammattei has set itself,” said Colonel Francisco Girón, general manager of INEES. dIALOGUE on July 26. “Secure networks will allow us to transmit essential data and counter any cyber attacks that countries in the region may face. It is essential to be able to form relationships, joint strategies and a culture based on cyber security at the hemispheric level, from which our countries will benefit.”
Two hundred Guatemalan representatives, including members of the Armed Forces and private companies, as well as approximately 1,200 online participants from Guatemala and partner countries attended the workshop, held at the INEES auditorium, July 12-13. Nine international panelists from Taiwan, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil, among others, and 11 national panelists, addressed topics such as cyber security and cyber defense in support of intelligence and counterintelligence, the position of telecommunications in interconnected societies, cyber security threats in Latin America, and critical infrastructure security.
The Information and Technology Command of the Guatemalan Army, the entity responsible for the cyber defense of the state, also participated in the seminar leading one of the working tables. “This command is responsible for the planning, installation and management of electronic information, telecommunications and cyber defense systems in Guatemala,” said Col. Girón.
Securing alliances
In August, INEES will host a training exercise in Guatemala in partnership with the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Studies. As part of the training, Perry Center instructors will provide Guatemalan armed and security forces and National Security System officials with knowledge on security issues.
“The alliance with the prestigious J. Perry Center was born out of Guatemala’s interest in developing knowledge to combat organized crime,” said Col. Girón. “We wanted to promote the Transnational Organized Crime course at INEES with guidance from the Perry Center to develop it, thanks to which it is already on the academic agenda.
As of July 2022, more than 19,000 officials have been trained at INEES since its inception in 2013, including members of the Armed Forces, police, researchers and students from various countries, among others, said Col. Girón.
In April, Guatemalan Foreign Minister Mario Búcaro met with officials from the Secretariat of the Organization of American States for Multidimensional Security to pursue cooperation and technical assistance as part of the Comprehensive Program to Strengthen Multidimensional Security in Guatemala.
At the meeting, Búcaro invited the Secretariat to visit Guatemala to continue strengthening the institutions that make up the National Security System in matters of cyber security, including technical training for women, border security and arms and ammunition control, the Guatemalan government said.
In 2021 alone, the Superintendency of Tax Administration of Guatemala (SAT) experienced more than 8,000 cyber attacks, which affected invoicing, tax payments and customs processes, Ronald Estrada, SAT’s IT manager, told the Guatemalan daily. Free Press.
