Fortinet Launches Cyber-Hygiene Guide for El Buen Fin Amid Rising Cyber Threats in Mexico
Fortinet Launches Cyber-Hygiene Guide Ahead of El Buen Fin to Combat Rising Cyber Threats
As Mexico gears up for the highly anticipated El Buen Fin shopping event, cybersecurity firm Fortinet has issued a timely cyber-hygiene guide aimed at protecting consumers and businesses from an expected surge in cyberattacks. With malicious actors poised to exploit the high volume of transactions, this initiative underscores the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding sensitive data.
A Surge in Cyber Threats
The 2024 El Buen Fin is projected to see a staggering 300% increase in cyberattack attempts compared to previous years. Cybercriminals are estimated to capture 4% of all e-commerce sales during this period, translating to an alarming MX$6.8 billion (approximately US$371 million) in illicit revenue from a total of MX$165 billion (US$9 billion) in online sales. “Cybercriminals could obtain economic benefits exceeding MX$6.8 billion during El Buen Fin alone, an 11% increase from last year,” warns Rafael Chávez Monroy, Country Manager for F5 Mexico.
The Need for Prevention
Sebastián Russo, Director of Engineering at Fortinet Mexico, emphasizes that prevention is the cornerstone of effective cybersecurity. “At Fortinet, we firmly believe that prevention is the most powerful tool,” he states. Integrating cybersecurity into everyday purchasing habits is essential to ensure that transactions remain secure and do not become vectors for fraud.
Vulnerabilities and Investment Gaps
Experts highlight that the vulnerability of Mexican businesses is largely due to underinvestment in cybersecurity, with companies allocating only 5% to 8% of their technology budgets to protective measures. Manuel Moreno, Director of Information Security at IQSEC, suggests that this investment should be increased to 20% to adequately cover data protection, employee training, and incident response plans.
Rising Digital Fraud
Recent intelligence from FortiGuard Labs reveals that Mexico experienced 40.6 billion cyberattack attempts in the first half of 2025, making it the second most targeted country in the region. The Mexican Association of Online Sales (AMVO) reports that nearly 80% of Mexican internet users plan to shop during El Buen Fin, further exacerbating the risks as attackers exploit consumer urgency and haste.
Fortinet’s Cyber-Hygiene Recommendations
Fortinet’s guide outlines critical vulnerabilities that businesses, particularly in retail and e-commerce, must address:
-
Web Integrity and Encryption: Verify secure connections and maintain valid SSL/TLS certificates.
-
Secure Payment Gateway Management: Use payment methods that minimize direct entry of sensitive data, such as virtual cards.
-
Account Takeover Mitigation: Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) and enforce complex password policies to combat credential stuffing attacks.
-
Unsecured Network Risks: Avoid financial transactions over public Wi-Fi to prevent data interception.
Empowering Consumers
Fortinet asserts that adopting these cyber hygiene measures is the best investment consumers can make. “Each buyer becomes an agent of defense, protecting individual assets and strengthening confidence in digital commerce in Mexico,” the guide concludes.
As El Buen Fin approaches, the call for heightened awareness and proactive cybersecurity measures has never been more critical. With the stakes higher than ever, both consumers and businesses must prioritize cyber hygiene to navigate the bustling shopping season safely.
