The state of cybersecurity in Ecuador 2026: what the industry survey reveals and what SMEs should do

Cybersecurity is no longer a concern only for large corporations. In Ecuador, 2026 arrives with developments that change the game for every organization, and especially for small and medium-sized businesses. At SimCodec we follow these industry signals closely because, with five partners and ten years of experience supporting Ecuadorian companies, we know that the difference between a scare and a crisis usually comes down to the decisions made before the incident happens.

A snapshot of the sector: the 7th survey

On July 1, 2026, the 7th "Current State of Cybersecurity Ecuador 2026" survey was presented in Guayaquil, conducted by IT ahora together with Stratos Asesores and the Quito Chapter of ISACA. The study measures the maturity level, priorities, challenges and concerns of Ecuadorian organizations: governance, investment, priority threats, talent, regulatory compliance, personal data protection and the new applications of artificial intelligence in security.

Beyond the numbers, the value of these surveys lies in the shared diagnosis: they let each company compare itself with its sector and understand where it truly stands against its peers.

Coordination between areas is key

The event included sector-based working tables —retail, banking, industry, health and services— with incident response simulations. One of the clearest conclusions was that coordination between areas strengthens incident response. In other words: security is not only the IT team's job. When finance, operations, communications and management know what to do and whom to alert, reaction time drops and damage is contained.

Where the country stands

At the state level, Ecuador ranks sixth among 19 countries in the region in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Global Cybersecurity Index, which measures states' commitment to cybersecurity. It is an intermediate position that reflects progress, but also room for improvement.

That commitment translated into a significant decision: in February 2026 Ecuador approved a Cybersecurity Law that, among other things, mandates compulsory training in the education system. Early education is a long-term bet, because most incidents start with a preventable human error.

AI changes the game

Artificial intelligence is the big new factor. The CyberSecurity Bank & Government Ecuador 2026 event, scheduled for July 23, 2026 at the Swissôtel Quito, will address precisely how AI is transforming cybersecurity and how AI agents create new attack vectors tied to human behavior.

AI is a double-edged sword: it helps detect anomalies and automate defenses, but it also lets attackers craft more believable deceptions and faster campaigns. The regional context confirms it: in Latin America, organizations face on average more than 2,600 cyberattacks per week, above the global average, and ransomware grew by around 78% in the past year.

Why SMEs are a target

There is a dangerous myth: "we're small, no one will attack us." The reality is the opposite. SMEs are frequent targets precisely because they tend to have fewer controls and less dedicated staff. For an automated attacker, the size of the victim matters less than how easy it is to get in.

The good news is that basic controls make an enormous difference:

• Backups that are tested and isolated, so operations can recover without paying a ransom.
• Network segmentation, so a compromised device doesn't drag down the whole company.
• Continuous monitoring, to detect the abnormal before it escalates.
• Access control, with strong passwords and a second factor.
• Staff training, the first line of defense against deception.

How we approach it at SimCodec

At SimCodec we don't sell fear: we build capacity. As a strategic partner of EPIC, we embed cybersecurity into every one of our services —networks and structured cabling, cloud, video surveillance, industrial automation and software development— because protection is not a separate product, but a way of working.

We start with an honest diagnosis of where your company stands, prioritize the basic controls with the greatest return, and design backups, segmentation and monitoring tailored to your operation. We also support the human side with practical training, and organize processes so that, if something happens, each area knows exactly what to do. All with a close, plural approach: we walk alongside you, not above you.

Let's talk

If the new survey, the law and the advance of AI left you with a question, it may be the most important one: what would happen in your company today if you couldn't access your systems tomorrow? If the answer doesn't give you peace of mind, let's talk. At SimCodec we would be glad to help you build a clear response.