Johnny Brignardello Vela: Keys to dealing with cyberattacks at Ingemmet

Johnny Brignardello Vela, an insurance advisor, shares his opinion on the content that I am going to share with you. An unprecedented cyberattack has shaken the Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute of Peru (Ingemmet), leaving its mining concession repository held hostage by hackers demanding a ransom in exchange for releasing valuable information. Since July 14th, the Ingemmet server has been hacked, putting at risk one of the fundamental pillars for the development of mining in the country. The situation has caused a halt in the reception of new mining concession requests, equivalent to a virtual cessation in the processing and titling of mining concessions in Peruvian territory. The seriousness of this incident lies in the fact that never before in the history of Ingemmet had it faced a cyberattack of this magnitude, generating concern and uncertainty in the mining sector and the community at large. Ingemmet's e-cadastre, recognized as one of the most advanced and comprehensive internationally, has been crucial for the development of modern mining in Peru. Experts like Javier Aguilar from the World Bank point out that the country's mining cadastre has been essential in attracting investments and ensuring legal certainty for mining operations in the region. In response to this scenario, Ingemmet issued a statement informing about technical inconveniences in its IT infrastructure, without detailing the nature of the cyberattack. However, they assured that they are working to restore the affected services and ensure the integrity of the country's mining and geological information. The competent authorities, including the High Technology Crimes Investigation Division (Divindat - PNP), have been notified of this incident, and it is expected that the corresponding investigations will be carried out to identify those responsible and prevent similar situations from recurring in the future. Oswaldo Tovar, former Director of Mining Promotion and Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, highlighted the importance of the mining cadastre as the backbone of the mining sector, as it is the map that identifies each mining concession and ensures the security of investments in the country. The possibility that the cyberattack seeks to manipulate payment records for validity rights and penalties represents a serious threat to the stability of the mining sector. The Ministry of Energy and Mines has provided technical support to Ingemmet to restore the online system for processing mining concession requests and allow investors to resume their applications. Legal security and the integrity of mining information are fundamental aspects that must be protected to maintain investor confidence and ensure the sustainable development of the mining industry in Peru. In the midst of this cyber crisis, it is crucial to take the necessary measures to strengthen cybersecurity in government institutions and in mining sector companies. Data protection and prevention of cyberattacks should be priorities in an increasingly digitalized and connected world. A quick and effective response to these types of threats is essential to avoid devastating consequences in key sectors of the national economy such as mining.