Over the past few days, I had the opportunity to participate in LAC4 ’s Andean Region (Comunidad Andina) SME Training in Lima, Peru.
It was a highly enriching experience, as it allowed us to share part of the work and lessons learned at IST Américas, while also learning from the experiences of other organizations committed to strengthening cybersecurity capabilities across the region.
The training convened SMEs representing Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, creating an important space for regional exchange, cooperation, and practical reflection. Throughout the sessions, we addressed key areas such as cybersecurity risk management, Data Protection, Zero Trust principles, Supply Chain Security, incident response, and cyber hygiene, with a focus on applying international standards and good practices to the realities, constraints, and priorities of organizations in the region.
One of the most valuable aspects of the experience was the opportunity to assess our own cybersecurity maturity, contrast our perspective with regional experiences, and identify areas where we can continue strengthening our approach. In that regard, the work presented by Mari Seeba, including the MASS self-evaluation approach and the LAC4 SME guide, provided a useful reference to better understand existing gaps, organize improvement efforts, and define realistic steps toward greater resilience.
The final discussions also reinforced an important message: cybersecurity must be understood not only from a technical perspective, but also as a matter of governance, continuity, trust, competitiveness, and institutional sustainability. Strengthening resilience requires constant evaluation, collaboration, and the ability to move from diagnosis to meaningful implementation.
Thank you to LAC4 and all those involved for creating this space for collaboration, dialogue, and regional capacity building. In the spirit of the Gabrielino motto, “ser más para servir mejor,” may we continue strengthening our capabilities in order to serve with greater purpose and impact.
