Adoption of digital certificates is crucial to strengthen cybersecurity in 2025

* Analysis of Claudio Rezende Director of Operations at GlobalSign Brazil

In a scenario where phishing and deepfake attacks become increasingly sophisticated, the ability to verify the identity of the sender of an email becomes crucial CISO Village 2024 team8, conducted with information security directors (CISOs), revealed that 75% of executives are more concerned about phishing attacks, while 56% identifies deepfake fraud (whether in video or voice) as another critical risk.

One check Point Software Study it also showed that more than 90% of attacks on companies worldwide originate from malicious emails. Thus, it is essential to be aware of the strengthening of the security of these communications, and the use of Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) certificates (responsible for encrypting messages point by point, maintaining data integrity (ONE of the most recommended strategies for 2025.

An important point to be analyzed is the correlation between the Digital Competitiveness Index, cyber attacks and the need for S/MIME Certificates in Brazil.The low competitiveness index of the country, as evidenced in the report of the World Economic Forum, highlights challenges in several areas, including technological infrastructure and cybersecurity. The lack of maturity in these areas increases Brazil's vulnerability to cyber attacks, which can negatively impact companies and the economy as a whole.

Therefore, the adoption of S/MIME certificates emerges as a crucial tool to strengthen cybersecurity and boost the competitiveness of Brazil, as it offers several benefits, such as:

• Ensuring sender identity and message integrity, protecting against fraud and phishing attacks;
• Encryption of messages, ensuring that only authorized recipients have access to content, protecting sensitive information; and
• Compliance with legal requirements of various sectors, such as Health and Financial, facilitating compliance with standards and avoiding penalties.

Considering the points highlighted above, I consider that the widespread adoption of S/MIME certificates in Brazil can significantly contribute to improving the competitiveness of the country by strengthening trust in electronic transactions, boosting e-commerce and the digital economy; mitigating cyber risks, protecting companies and citizens from financial losses and reputational damage; creating a safer and more reliable business environment, attracting foreign investments and boosting economic growth; and promoting technological innovation through an environment conducive to the development of cybersecurity solutions.