Mastercard Study Highlights Cybersecurity Challenges for Guatemalan SMEs

Cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly important factor in the digital growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Guatemala. While businesses continue to incorporate digital payments and online tools into their operations, concerns about fraud and cyberattacks are influencing their decisions to adopt new technologies and expand into additional markets. According to Mastercard’s 2026 SME Cybersecurity Outlook, 96% of Guatemalan SMEs surveyed believe stronger protection against fraud and cyberattacks could help them achieve additional double-digit growth.

The findings reflect a growing challenge for businesses that rely on digital channels to reach customers and manage transactions. Although these tools create opportunities to expand operations, concerns about security can limit how confidently companies adopt new payment methods, develop e-commerce platforms, or explore new customer segments.

Cybersecurity Concerns Affect Business Expansion

The study found that 61% of Guatemalan SMEs surveyed said cybersecurity concerns had influenced their adoption of digital tools or payments. Fear of fraud has led 44% to postpone the introduction of new payment methods, while 38% delayed e-commerce initiatives and 36% put expansion into new markets or customer segments on hold.

These concerns are not limited to perceptions of risk. The research found that 41% of the surveyed businesses had experienced a cybersecurity incident during the previous 12 months. Among the incidents reported across the study, payment fraud, data theft or leaks, website or system hacking, and phishing were among the most frequently mentioned threats. The findings illustrate how digital security has become part of everyday business considerations, particularly as companies increase their reliance on online transactions and services.

Mastercard Highlights the Role of Digital Trust

Marvin Rodríguez, Country Manager for Mastercard in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, emphasized that cybersecurity has become a business priority as SMEs expand their use of digital tools.

“For SMEs, cybersecurity is no longer just a technological concern, but a business imperative,” Rodríguez said.

He added that stronger protection helps businesses use digital payments to reach more customers and expand their operations while managing risks associated with fraud and cyberattacks. For companies seeking to grow through digital channels, trust and security are increasingly important elements of their commercial strategies.

Mastercard Trust Center Offers Resources for SMEs

To support businesses in strengthening their cybersecurity practices, Mastercard provides the Mastercard Trust Center, a free educational resource for SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean. The platform offers research, training, assessments, tools, and practical guidance to help businesses better understand and manage digital risks. The initiative addresses a challenge highlighted by the study: businesses need accessible resources to strengthen their security as they adopt more digital services. The research was conducted during the second quarter of 2026 in partnership with Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI), surveying 2,400 SME owners and senior decision-makers across 12 markets in Latin America and the Caribbean, including 200 respondents in Guatemala. These findings highlight the importance of pairing digital adoption with stronger cybersecurity preparation as more Guatemalan businesses incorporate electronic payments and online services into their operations.

Source: Newsinamerica