Uruguay has experienced a notable rise in ransomware attacks in 2026, with nearly 500 incidents reported, reflecting increased cyber threat activity. The average ransom paid has escalated to $37,500, indicating more sophisticated extortion tactics. Small and medium-sized enterprises remain the prime targets, with over a quarter of organizations affected, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity measures across sectors.
The national cybersecurity budget has grown to $15.2 million USD, supporting enhanced defenses and incident response strategies. Despite these efforts, phishing and social engineering attacks continue to surge, with over 1.2 million attempts detected, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities. Strengthening awareness and proactive security protocols are crucial for Uruguay to mitigate future cyber threats.