He emphasizes that good training is key to combating the rise in cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity is a growing problem affecting individuals, businesses, and organizations. ABC recently hosted a forum with BBVA, moderated by journalist Luis Montoto, in which representatives from various companies involved in this field participated. Julio Pérez, founder and CEO of Soltel Group, spoke at the panel discussion about the importance of preventing cyberattacks and emphasized the need for awareness among businesses, especially SMEs, and individuals. “Every 11 seconds, there is a ransomware attack targeting hard drives and data somewhere in the world,” he warned.

Julio Pérez echoed some North American studies that show that "30% of employees open emails that are dangerous, and 12% of them click on them and enter dangerous sites," concluding that "these people put their companies at real risk."

The CEO of SOLTEL believes the potential for job creation in Andalusia related to cybersecurity is immense, adding that "the need grows every year." However, it is important to offer high-quality training that reflects the realities of businesses.

According to data provided by SOLTEL, in 2021 there were 35 billion devices connected to the internet worldwide, a figure that is expected to rise to 75 billion by 2025. There is a close correlation between the number of devices connected to the network and the number of cyberattacks, since a greater number of active devices exponentially increases the possibility of cyberattacks.

In turn, Covid has triggered a surge in cyberattacks. Following the implementation of remote work, a large number of employees have been exposed to these cyberattacks. Similarly, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also significantly increased the number of cases.

INCREASE IN FRAUD

The ABC and BBVA panel on cybersecurity also included Alejandro Figueroa, Director of Cybersecurity and Fraud for BBVA Spain; Raúl Jiménez, Managing Director of the Digital Agency of Andalusia; and Lola Carranza, Director of Digital Law and Technology Business at Montero Aramburu, who emphasized the importance of working towards digital security in Andalusia and in companies.

According to Alejandro Figueroa of BBVA, "the digital channel is the safest if the appropriate precautions are taken," a statement he made during his participation in the forum.

But cybersecurity is also the foundation upon which the digitization of public services must grow, expanding the possibility for citizens to interact with the administration via mobile devices. "If we want to offer the possibility of online training or telemedicine, the first thing we must guarantee is that this is done on a secure platform," stated Raúl Jiménez, managing director of the Digital Agency of Andalusia.

And data security is also an essential right of citizens. Lola Carranza, director of digital law and technology business at Montero Aramburu, pointed out that "for companies, complying with security regulations is not a mere formality, but a management process with a commitment to compliance and based on a risk analysis" of the risks involved with that data. It is not only a technical and legal matter, but also an organizational one, since the principle of "proactive compliance management" prevails, as companies must take "appropriate measures to protect information, availability, and data integrity."

ANDALUSIA, A BENCHMARK

During his presentation, the CEO of SOLTEL emphasized that Andalusia can be a Cybersecurity Development Center for both Andalusian and international companies. He added that one of Soltel Group's main challenges "is training IT professionals to provide these types of services." To this end, the group will apply for the digital kit, encouraging other companies to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the government. This initiative will help SMEs protect and improve their cybersecurity.

Finally, Julio Pérez concluded his remarks at the ABC and BBVA forum by addressing the younger generation. “To all young people who are unemployed, I say that you have a golden opportunity to find work in this world.” “Today, anyone who wants to make that effort breaks through that barrier and enters the workforce quickly.” “I urge that the training students receive be more practical from a business perspective, that they be taken to companies, that they collaborate with us and learn from us, so that when they finish their studies they are capable of contributing in everyday life.”

For more information: https://sevilla.abc.es/economia/sevi-claves-ciberseguridad-para-mundo-digital-expansion-202203091300_noticia.html