Market growth reveals the scale of the risk
Brazil’s cybersecurity market is expected to close 2026 at US$ 4.05 billion, up 10% from the US$ 3.68 billion recorded in 2025. The sector is projected to reach US$ 6.56 billion by 2031, according to a study by Peers Consulting + Technology released exclusively to Broadcast (Estadão).
The analysis was the subject of an interview with Marcelo Shiramizu, CEO of ACTAR Peers Group and Managing Director of Peers Consulting + Technology. In the article, Marcelo notes that the estimate is still conservative, given that artificial intelligence tools are accelerating the cybersecurity market.
The data is relevant because it shows that digital security is no longer an issue limited to the technical team. It now influences efficiency, business continuity, revenue protection, customer trust, and regulatory exposure.
AI expands productivity, but also multiplies attacks
Artificial intelligence is being incorporated into companies as a lever for productivity, automation, and scale. But the same movement also increases the capability of threat actors.
In 2025, Brazil recorded an average of 3,700 cyberattacks per week, up 55% from 2024. According to the Peers study cited by Estadão, this increase reflects the greater use of AI by criminals.
In the interview, Shiramizu emphasizes that, just as there is a proliferation of AI agents on the defense side, AI mechanisms have also been used to multiply attacks.
This shift changes the logic of protection. The challenge is not just to face more incidents, but to respond to faster, automated, and more sophisticated threats.
The cost of negligence is already showing in the bottom line
The average cost per successful incident has reached R$ 7.19 million, up 6.5% from 2024. The most targeted sectors were telecommunications, road freight transportation, and financial services, according to the Peers study.
For companies with complex operations, this data reinforces that cybersecurity must be treated as an ongoing management priority. A successful attack can cause system downtime, exposure of sensitive data, loss of trust, legal costs, operational rework, and significant financial impact.
The question, therefore, is not just how much to invest in security. It is whether the current strategy keeps pace with the speed of digitalization, AI, and the risks that come with this advance.
The agility paradox in AI adoption
The race to embed AI into companies can also lead to rushed decisions. According to Shiramizu, some companies have neglected cybersecurity aspects in the name of adoption.
This movement connects to the agility paradox, a concept Peers has been discussing to show how the pursuit of speed, when not supported by solid technological foundations, can create structural vulnerabilities.
In the case of AI, this risk becomes even more sensitive. The technology can generate important productivity gains, but it also increases the circulation and processing of strategic information.
Without adequate governance, customer data, internal documents, financial information, and intellectual property can be exposed to environments without sufficient protection. The answer should not be to slow adoption, but to ensure that cybersecurity advances alongside innovation, not after it.
Security as a condition for growth with AI
The projection of US$ 6.56 billion by 2031 shows that cybersecurity will continue gaining relevance in Brazil. But the main point for executives is not just the size of the market — it is the reason behind this growth.
Companies are more digital, more connected, and more dependent on data. At the same time, attacks are becoming more sophisticated and gaining scale with AI.
In this context, digital security is no longer an additional layer and becomes a condition for growth. A company that accelerates AI without protecting data, systems, and decisions amplifies operational risk precisely when it is seeking more efficiency.
FAQ
What is the projection for the cybersecurity market in Brazil?
According to a study by Peers Consulting + Technology released by Estadão, the market is expected to reach US$ 4.05 billion in 2026 and US$ 6.56 billion by 2031.
Why does AI increase cybersecurity risks?
Because AI can be used to expand the scale and sophistication of attacks. In addition, companies that adopt AI without governance can expose sensitive data.
What is the average cost of a successful cyberattack?
According to the study cited by Estadão, the average cost per successful incident has reached R$ 7.19 million, up 6.5% from 2024.
