* Analysis by Cláudio Rezende, Operations Director of GlobalSign Brazil
In a scenario where phishing attacks and deepfakes become increasingly sophisticated, the ability to verify the identity of an email sender becomes crucial. The report 2024 CISO Village by Team8, conducted with Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), revealed that 75% of executives are more concerned about phishing attacks, while 56% identify deepfake fraud (whether video or voice) as another critical risk.
A study by Check Point Software also showed that over 90% of corporate attacks worldwide originate from malicious emails. Therefore, it is essential to be vigilant in strengthening the security of these communications, with the use of Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) certificates—responsible for encrypting messages end-to-end, maintaining data integrity—being one of the most recommended strategies for 2025.
An important point to analyze is the correlation between the Digital Competitiveness Index, cyberattacks, and the need for S/MIME Certificates in Brazil. The country’s low competitiveness index, as evidenced in the World Economic Forum report, highlights challenges in various areas, including technological infrastructure and cybersecurity. The lack of maturity in these areas increases Brazil’s vulnerability to cyberattacks, which can negatively impact businesses and the economy as a whole.
Given this, the adoption of S/MIME certificates emerges as a crucial tool to strengthen cybersecurity and boost Brazil’s competitiveness, as it offers several benefits, such as:
- Guarantee of sender identity and message integrity, protecting against fraud and phishing attacks;
- Message encryption, ensuring that only authorized recipients have access to the content, protecting sensitive information; and
- Compliance with legal requirements in various sectors, such as Healthcare and Finance, facilitating adherence to regulations and avoiding penalties.
Considering the points highlighted above, I believe that the widespread adoption of S/MIME certificates in Brazil can significantly contribute to improving the country’s competitiveness by strengthening trust in electronic transactions, boosting e-commerce and the digital economy; by mitigating cyber risks, protecting businesses and citizens from financial losses and reputational damage; by creating a safer and more reliable business environment, attracting foreign investment and driving economic growth; and by promoting technological innovation through a conducive environment for the development of cybersecurity solutions.
