Mexico’s Data Sovereignty and Cybersecurity Challenges in Protecting Sensitive Information

Data sovereignty has become a critical strategic issue for governments worldwide, particularly as cyber threats increase rapidly. It refers to the principle that information is subject to the laws, policies, and authorities of the country where it is collected, processed, and stored, including determining who can access it and under what conditions. In Mexico, the rapid digitalization of public services makes protecting citizens’ sensitive information increasingly urgent. The National Cyber Security Index ranks Mexico 68th in preparedness for cyber incidents, highlighting the need for stronger digital defense. Latin America, including Mexico, has seen a sharp rise in cyber incidents, with the World Bank noting a 25% annual increase between 2014 and 2023. Key threats to public institutions include ransomware, phishing, credential theft, cloud misconfigurations, and supply chain vulnerabilities. To address these challenges, governments should adopt Zero Trust approaches, encrypt data, maintain control over it, classify information carefully, and secure cloud configurations. AI usage must ensure privacy and accountability, and network segmentation can help isolate systems. Advanced cybersecurity tools, constant monitoring, ransomware protection, multicloud supervision, and training programs provide real-time threat intelligence and proactive defense. Success also depends on sustained investment, clear protocols, public-private collaboration, international cooperation, and political commitment to cybersecurity. Only through these measures can Mexico advance digitalization while maintaining trust, security, and data sovereignty.