Cybersecurity in the digital age: trust as a pillar

Digitization is advancing rapidly, and with each step forward, new challenges arise. Cyber risk and digital threats are constantly evolving with new tactics driven by artificial intelligence and sophisticated criminal networks, jeopardizing trust, growth, and security in the digital ecosystem. It's not just about protecting transactions, but ensuring every interaction. Without trust, digitalization cannot thrive.

Cybersecurity: a growing global challenge

Cybercriminals have found in AI a powerful tool to sophisticate their attacks. Deepfakes, automated phishing, and large-scale frauds make digital organized crime not only more effective but also harder to trace. The numbers are alarming:

• In 2023, online fraud losses reached 1 trillion dollars worldwide.
• It is estimated that the global cost of cybercrime will reach $14 trillion by 2028, making it the third-largest economy in the world.
• Frauds continue to be a significant and growing threat, with nearly half of global consumers experiencing at least one attempt per week.
• According to the cybersecurity companyCybersecurity VenturesThe total cost of cyberattacks in 2023 was $6 trillion, and the forecast is that this number will increase to $10 trillion by 2025.
• In Latin America, leaks and data breaches have cost an average of $2.46 million — a historic record for the region and a 76% increase since 2020, according to the study.Cost of a Data Breach (America Economia – special edition on Cybersecurity – March 2024).

These data reinforce the need for a more strategic approach to cybersecurity, one that allows for anticipating threats rather than just reacting to them.

Towards a safer digital ecosystem

At Mastercard, for example, digital security is an integral part of our mission. For us, ensuring digital security involves three fundamental pillars:

1. Evaluate:Give visibility to cyber risks. Solutions such as theRiskReconThey help companies and governments understand their exposure to risk, enabling continuous monitoring of vulnerabilities.
2. Protect:Implement advanced technologies to mitigate threats. AI and real-time monitoring are essential tools for preventing attacks. With theRecorded Futurewe strengthen our intelligence capacity against real-time threats. Furthermore, solutions such as theSafetyNetThey prevented losses of 50 billion dollars due to frauds in the last three years.
3. Organize a trust ecosystem:The fight against cybercrime cannot be fought in isolation. Alliances between companies, governments, and organizations are necessary to share intelligence and create more robust security standards.

The ability to track cyberattack patterns globally is crucial. Today, it is possible to detect an attack in Brazil, trace its movement to Indonesia, and analyze its recurrence in Germany. This level of connectivity and predictive analysis is essential to anticipate emerging threats and strengthen digital resilience.

AI as an ally in the fight against fraud

While cybercriminals use AI to enhance their attacks, artificial intelligence has become a powerful ally in digital security. Our generative AI solutions enabled:

1. Double the detection rate of compromised cards
2. Reduce false positives in fraud detection by 200%
3. Increase the speed of identifying at-risk businesses by 300%

These innovations strengthen security and improve the user experience, reducing friction and increasing confidence in each transaction.

A call to action: safety is a shared responsibility

In an increasingly interconnected world, trust is the most valuable asset. Without security, the opportunities of digitalization can be compromised. Today, more than ever, ensuring the security of the digital ecosystem requires innovation, cooperation, and a preventive approach.