ESET analyzes how cybersecurity is the new strategic pillar of business success

ESET Venezuela successfully held its 9th Technology Breakfast with media outlets and journalists specializing in cybersecurity, an essential meeting to analyze digital risks and redefine corporate protection in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The event focused on dismantling misconceptions, highlighting the need for a comprehensive protection strategy, and addressing social responsibility.

Demystifying digital defense

Michele Flammia, General Manager of ESET Venezuela, began the discussion by refuting common myths. He warned that the belief that only computers require protection, ignoring mobile phones, exposes users to serious risks, especially when downloading applications from unofficial sources or granting excessive permissions.

Flammia emphasized that cybersecurity is not the sole responsibility of the company’s IT (Information Technology) department, but rather a culture that must permeate the entire organization. He also dismissed the idea that users and SMEs “have nothing of value,” pointing out that intellectual property and personal information are prized assets for attackers.

Therefore, he recommended maintaining strong passwords and using multi-factor authentication as basic and mandatory measures.

The high cost of corporate vulnerability

Carlos López Rodríguez, Support and Training Manager at ESET Venezuela, presented compelling figures. The specialist revealed that the average global cost of a security breach is $4.44 million, a figure that increases to $4.9 million if the incident is caused by malicious insiders.

López emphasized the need to address reported vulnerabilities, citing cases where security flaws remained uncorrected for years, even in large corporations like Telefónica (affected by the WannaCry ransomware in 2017). He warned that one in six attacks is now powered by Artificial Intelligence, making prevention more critical than ever.

“If an organization has a vulnerability that was reported seven years ago and does nothing to fix it, something is happening at every level,” López stated, arguing that inaction is a global risk.

The expert highlighted that modern AI-based tools can save companies up to $1.9 million in costs after a breach, although only 49 % of organizations invest in security after being attacked.

The average recovery time from an attack, for those companies or institutions that manage to recover, is 276 days, a period of high operational vulnerability.

Sustainability and global responsibility

José Luis Rangel, marketing manager, who oversees sustainability matters in Venezuela, closed the day by speaking on “ESET’s Sustainable Management – ​​Experiences in Latin America.” Rangel highlighted that the company is one of the few in the sector that aligns its strategy with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Global Compact.

This management approach seeks a balance between environmental, social, and economic factors. It involves promoting gender equality, effective human talent management, and responsibility throughout the value chain, demonstrating that digital security is integrated with a global commitment to sustainability.

Rangel shared some of the sustainability initiatives they have implemented in Latin America and Venezuela in recent years, which are aligned with ESET’s four pillars of action in the region: environment, value chain, employees, and community.

For more information, visit the ESET website:  https://www.eset.com/ve/. You can also follow them on social media: Instagram (@esetla, @eset_ve) and Facebook (ESET).

Through on-site coverage by DOBLE LLAVE and El Sumario, as well as with information and main image provided by Comstat Rowland

Audiovisual production and general photography: Jesús Ramírez

Visit our news channel on Google News and follow us to get accurate, interesting information and stay up to date with everything. You can also see our daily content on X/Twitter and Instagram