Punta Cana.- Cybersecurity experts meeting in Punta Cana are examining the rise of electronic fraud, identity theft, artificial intelligence-driven threats and the growing role of computer forensics in investigating cybercrime.
The issues were discussed during the 10th edition of the International Congress of Computer Forensics & Cybersecurity (IFC 2026), which brought together specialists from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Colombia, Spain and the United States, along with representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS).
Experts emphasized that the evolution of cybercrime requires organizations to move beyond prevention and strengthen their ability to detect, respond to and investigate attacks. They stressed that properly identifying, preserving and analyzing digital evidence is essential to reconstructing incidents and supporting investigations.
Artificial intelligence was identified as both an opportunity and a challenge. While the technology can strengthen cybersecurity and data analysis, criminals can also use it to automate deception, improve social engineering and create increasingly convincing synthetic content.
Pedro Castillo, CEO of TechnologyInt, the company organizing IFC 2026, highlighted the need for specialized training, stronger digital forensics capabilities and greater cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Castillo said cybersecurity strategies must combine prevention with rapid detection, response and evidence preservation to help investigate incidents and provide answers to victims. He also called for continued regional cooperation and investment in specialized capabilities to address increasingly sophisticated forms of digital fraud, identity theft and cybercrime.