* Analysis by Claudio Rezende, Director of Operations at GlobalSign Brazil
In a scenario where phishing attacks and deepfakes become increasingly sophisticated, the ability to verify the sender's identity of an email becomes crucial. The reportCISO Village of 2024Team8's survey of chief information security officers (CISOs) revealed that 75% of executives are most concerned about phishing attacks, while 56% identify deepfake fraud (whether video or voice) as another critical risk.
OneCheck Point Software studyIt also showed that more than 90% of attacks on companies worldwide originate from malicious emails. In this way, it is essential to be attentive to 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 low competitiveness index of the country, as evidenced in theWorld Economic Forum reporthighlights 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 companies and the economy as a whole.
In view of 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:
- Guaranteeing the identity of senders and the integrity of messages, 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 Health and Finance, facilitating compliance with 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 companies and citizens against financial losses and reputational damage; by creating a safer and more reliable business environment, attracting foreign investment and boosting economic growth; and by promoting technological innovation through an environment conducive to the development of cybersecurity solutions.
