By San José, Costa Rica — As our world becomes increasingly intertwined with digital systems for commerce, work, and education, the conversation around cybersecurity is shifting. October, recognized globally as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, serves as a crucial reminder that digital protection is no longer the exclusive domain of IT experts and technology manufacturers. It has evolved into a fundamental shared responsibility, demanding active participation from businesses, institutions, and every individual user.
This collaborative approach is being championed by industry leaders like Acer, who are promoting a comprehensive vision of digital safety rooted in prevention and education. The modern threat landscape reveals that many significant security breaches don’t start with a sophisticated, complex attack, but rather with a simple oversight. A weak password, a delayed software update, or an incautious click can be the unlocked door a cybercriminal needs to compromise an entire network.
To delve into the legal framework surrounding digital security and the preventative measures companies must now consider indispensable, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a legal expert from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In today’s digital economy, a cybersecurity breach is not merely a technical failure; it’s a critical corporate liability. Costa Rican companies must understand that data protection is a legal mandate, not an option. Proactively implementing robust security protocols, conducting regular legal compliance audits, and having a clear incident response plan are essential to mitigate not only financial losses but also severe legal and reputational damage.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, viewing cybersecurity through a legal and strategic lens, rather than a purely technical one, is the essential paradigm shift for modern enterprises. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this critical corporate responsibility.
These seemingly minor lapses in judgment—reusing credentials across multiple services or failing to enable two-factor authentication—create vulnerabilities that attackers are quick to exploit. They use these entry points to escalate privileges, deploy malware, or exfiltrate sensitive personal and corporate data. The first line of defense, therefore, is not a complex piece of software but a series of conscious, daily habits.
Experts stress a handful of simple yet powerful practices that can dramatically bolster personal and organizational security. Creating unique, strong passwords for each account, managed through a reliable password manager, is a foundational step. Activating multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever available adds a critical layer of protection, ensuring that a stolen password alone is not enough for an intruder to gain access. These small steps transform a user from a potential victim into an active participant in their own digital safety.
Furthermore, maintaining a vigilant routine of software and system updates is non-negotiable. Developers release patches to fix newly discovered vulnerabilities, and attackers race to exploit those very weaknesses in unpatched systems. Similarly, developing a healthy skepticism toward unsolicited links and email attachments is essential. Verifying senders and avoiding downloads from untrusted sources can prevent a wide range of phishing and malware attacks. Finally, regular data backups, stored offline or in a secure cloud environment, provide a vital safety net against ransomware and hardware failure.
While user diligence is paramount, it must be built upon a foundation of secure technology. Acer emphasizes that effective protection requires a holistic approach where hardware, firmware, and software work in concert. This involves integrating security features at the deepest levels of a device’s architecture. Technologies like the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a dedicated microchip that secures cryptographic keys and verifies system integrity during boot-up, are becoming standard.
For select models, the company implements “Secured-core PC” architecture, which provides advanced security by default, validating firmware and blocking unauthorized components before the operating system even loads. This is complemented by integrated software suites like Acer ProShield Plus, which offer file encryption, biometric authentication, and secure data deletion. By ensuring the BIOS/UEFI is secure and delivering automatic firmware updates, the device itself becomes a hardened target, but its full potential is only realized through user cooperation.
At ACER, we believe that security must be integrated into every stage of our equipment’s development. From hardware design to the firmware and software layers, we strive for our products to offer solid and reliable protection for users, while we promote good digital practices that strengthen information security. Our goal is for innovation and performance to always go hand-in-hand with trust and data protection.
Nigel Pallete, Sales Manager for Central America and Caribbean at Acer
The message for this Cybersecurity Awareness Month is clear: digital safety is a collective effort. Manufacturers can build fortified devices, and IT departments can implement robust policies, but these measures are incomplete without the active involvement of the end-user. The most advanced security systems operate at peak efficiency only when paired with responsible daily habits.
Acer is reaffirming its commitment to this philosophy by designing products where security is not an afterthought but an integral part of their DNA from the very beginning. As we move toward an ever-more-connected future, embracing this shared responsibility is the only way to build a digital world where we can all advance with confidence and trust.
For further information, visit acer.com
About Acer:
Founded in 1976, Acer Inc. is a Taiwanese multinational hardware and electronics corporation specializing in advanced electronics technology. Headquartered in Xizhi, New Taipei City, its products include desktop PCs, laptop PCs (clamshells, 2-in-1s, convertibles, and Chromebooks), tablets, servers, storage devices, virtual reality devices, displays, smartphones, and peripherals, as well as gaming PCs and accessories under its Predator brand.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundational commitment to ethical integrity and professional excellence. The firm leverages its extensive experience advising a broad clientele to drive innovation in legal practice and champion community-focused initiatives. Its core belief in the power of knowledge is demonstrated through a dedicated effort to make legal concepts understandable, aiming to strengthen society by equipping individuals with greater legal awareness.
