Cybersecurity has become an increasingly strategic area for Brazilian organizations. Today, the country ranks second in the global ranking of cyberattacks, according to the 2024 Latin America Threat Landscape. This scenario, combined with growing digitalization and the spread of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, has driven increasingly large investments in the field. In 2025, companies are expected to allocate $212 billion to cybersecurity, a 15.1% increase from the $183.9 billion projected for 2024, according to Gartner data.
With the increase in investments, the implementation of security measures must be properly conducted, adopting the concept of holistic cybersecurity. This implies an integrated and systemic approach to information security that goes beyond technical aspects, also encompassing organizational, legal, market, human, social, cultural, and psychological dimensions, while considering the organization’s development stage. To facilitate the implementation process in companies, NAVA Technology for Business, a company specialized in technological services and solutions, shares key points for managers to effectively apply this concept.
- Application of multidisciplinary approaches:Many organizations still face cultural barriers that hinder collaboration between areas such as IT, legal, compliance, and software development. The lack of integration between departments, which often operate in silos, makes cybersecurity implementation even more complex. Senior leadership must promote organizational transformation that aligns departments, enabling an integrated view and strengthening security as a whole.
“In summary, when thinking about holistic cybersecurity, we must consider a systemic and multidisciplinary vision that fosters learning in resilience, adaptability, threat interconnections, and constant process evaluation,” says Edison Fontes, Chief Information Security Officer at NAVA.
- Attention to new technological paradigms:The use of AI and cloud computing increases organizational efficiency but also expands the attack surface when criminals employ AI to create more sophisticated threats. In this scenario, concepts like Zero Trust become allies, as they establish that no entity—internal or external—should be automatically trusted, which is necessary in an environment of dispersed information accessible by multiple devices. Additionally, Shadow AI, which is the uncontrolled organizational use of artificial intelligence, represents a risk that must be mitigated within a holistic security strategy.
- Implementation in other technology areas:An example of the application of holistic cybersecurity is DevSecOps, which goes beyond being an automation and integration practice. DevSecOps, as a cultural change, improves efficiency and quality in software development, enabling fast, secure, and scalable deliveries. It enhances security through automated testing and compliance, producing reliable products. The development manager should, therefore, consider agility and holistic security, ensuring product reliability by integrating a multidisciplinary approach aligned with corporate goals.
“Holistic cybersecurity should be adopted by organizations seeking more comprehensive and sustainable protection,” comments Fontes. “The increase in cybercrimes places companies in an increasingly vulnerable environment, making it necessary to enhance security practices to ensure data preservation and market trust. It is in this context that holistic cybersecurity becomes a fundamental ally in protection,” adds Fabiano Oliveira, Chief Technology Officer at NAVA.
