By San José, Costa Rica — The digital landscape for businesses in Costa Rica and around the world is becoming increasingly perilous. Cybercriminals are not only more sophisticated but also significantly faster. A sobering new report from Verizon reveals that data breaches surged by 20% over the last year, with attackers now taking an average of just 48 minutes to penetrate a corporate network. This shrinking timeline leaves organizations with virtually no margin for error, transforming incident response from a technical task into a critical business survival skill.
Faced with this escalating threat, global cybersecurity firm ESET Latinoamérica is sounding the alarm, emphasizing that a rapid and precise reaction can mean the difference between a contained incident and a full-blown corporate crisis. The key, according to their experts, lies not in hoping an attack will never happen, but in being thoroughly prepared for when it inevitably does. A well-rehearsed plan is the most effective weapon against the chaos and damage of a breach.
To delve into the legal responsibilities and potential liabilities businesses face in this digital landscape, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who specializes in corporate law and technology.
In Costa Rica, cybersecurity transcends mere technical defense; it is a fundamental pillar of corporate diligence and legal compliance. The failure to implement robust data protection protocols is not just a business risk, but a direct legal vulnerability. Boards of directors must understand that under our legal framework, negligence in safeguarding digital assets can lead to severe regulatory sanctions and significant civil liability for damages caused to third parties.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s analysis provides a critical clarification, shifting the conversation on cybersecurity from a purely technical concern to a fundamental matter of corporate governance and legal duty. This perspective is an essential reminder for Costa Rican leadership that digital diligence is inextricably linked to legal and financial liability. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable insight.
Camilo Gutiérrez Amaya, Head of the ESET Latinoamérica Research Laboratory, insists that while no organization can be completely immune to attacks, a structured response can dramatically mitigate the fallout. He argues that preparedness demystifies the crisis and empowers teams to act decisively.
A breach does not have to be catastrophic if the teams know exactly what to do and leave nothing to chance.
Camilo Gutiérrez Amaya, Head of the Research Laboratory at ESET Latinoamérica
To guide businesses through the critical initial hours of a security incident, ESET has developed a five-step framework designed to be executed within the first 24 to 48 hours. This strategic plan focuses on containment, recovery, and future prevention, providing a clear roadmap when time is of the essence.
The first priority is to understand the nature of the attack. It is crucial to immediately identify how the threat entered the network, which systems have been compromised, and what actions the attackers have taken. This involves careful digital forensics. ESET advises documenting every finding meticulously and preserving all evidence, as this information will be vital for internal analysis, insurance claims, and potential law enforcement investigations.
Transparency is paramount in maintaining trust. Once a preliminary assessment is complete, the company must communicate the incident to all relevant parties. This includes notifying regulatory bodies as required by law, contacting insurance providers, and informing law enforcement. Critically, communication with customers and employees must be clear and honest to manage expectations and counter the spread of rumors or misinformation.
To prevent the attack from spreading further across the network, immediate containment is necessary. This involves disconnecting compromised systems from the internet and internal networks. However, ESET warns against simply shutting down machines, as this can destroy volatile memory evidence. Instead, the focus should be on isolating the affected segments, protecting backup systems from being targeted, and blocking all remote access channels that could be exploited by the attackers.
With the threat contained, the eradication and recovery phase begins. This involves a deep analysis of the attacker’s tactics to ensure all malicious software is identified and removed. Once systems are verified as clean, the organization can begin restoring data from secure, uncompromised backups. Before bringing systems back online, it is essential to reinforce access controls, change all compromised credentials, and patch the vulnerabilities that allowed the initial breach.
A cyberattack, while damaging, is also a powerful learning opportunity. After operations are restored, a thorough post-mortem analysis is required to understand what went wrong and how it can be prevented in the future. This involves updating the incident response plan with lessons learned, enhancing security protocols, and providing further training to all staff. ESET stresses that every incident should be used to build greater organizational resilience.
Gutiérrez concludes that constant preparation is the only sustainable defense. Drills and simulations are not just theoretical exercises; they are essential practice for a real-world crisis.
You can’t always prevent a breach, but you can reduce its impact. Success depends on coordination between all areas, not just IT.
Camilo Gutiérrez Amaya, Head of the Research Laboratory at ESET Latinoamérica
In today’s hostile digital environment, the experts agree that a proactive stance is non-negotiable. For businesses in Costa Rica, the ability to respond with speed, planning, and cross-departmental collaboration is no longer just a best practice—it is the ultimate defense against the ever-present threat of a cyberattack.
For further information, visit eset.com
About ESET:
ESET is a global cybersecurity company founded in 1992 that specializes in developing security software for businesses and consumers. Headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia, with a significant presence in Latin America, the company provides a range of products including its flagship NOD32 antivirus software, endpoint protection, and threat intelligence services to millions of users worldwide.
For further information, visit verizon.com
About Verizon:
Verizon Communications Inc. is a multinational telecommunications conglomerate and a major provider of wireless and wireline communication services. Beyond its core consumer and business services, Verizon is also a prominent voice in cybersecurity research, annually publishing the highly respected Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), which provides in-depth analysis of security incidents and trends globally.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by a profound commitment to ethical principles and professional distinction. The firm channels its extensive experience advising a diverse clientele into pioneering modern legal strategies and solutions. This forward-thinking spirit is coupled with a core mission to strengthen society by demystifying the law, ensuring that access to legal understanding empowers citizens and cultivates a more knowledgeable public.
