Google partners with the Cybersecurity Competence Center for Brazil run by CESAR

Tech company joins CISSA at Porto Digital to strengthen global cyber defense amid rising threats from Latin America’s fastest-growing digital market

CISSA, the Embrapii Competence Center for Cybersecurity operated by CESAR, has announced Google as its newest technology associate, joining forces to advance research and innovation in cybersecurity. Partnering with one of the world’s most influential technology companies positions CISSA as a key player on the global stage. The collaboration aims to enhance the development of innovative solutions, train new professionals in the field, and foster the growth of startups focused on digital data protection, in response to the ever-faster and more sophisticated nature of cyber threats.

Brazil’s cybersecurity market is experiencing explosive growth, with investments in artificial intelligence and machine learning increasing by 75%, and job opportunities in the field projected to grow by 37% by 2025. This partnership with Google further reinforces Brazil’s leadership in digital security, both locally and globally.

As part of the collaboration, Google will join CISSA’s Advisory Board, alongside the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban), and Embrapii (the Brazilian Company of Research and Industrial Innovation). The board contributes to shaping the strategic direction of CISSA’s research and the solutions developed within the center.

“Having a global partner on our advisory board strengthens our ability to guide strategic priorities, expand research areas, and actively contribute to the development of public policies in cybersecurity. There is a clear alignment of goals with Google. We want to build innovative and effective solutions for the challenges of digital security,”
— Georgia Barbosa, Executive Manager at CISSA.

“The growing sophistication of digital threats in Brazil calls for strong and strategic collaboration. For Google, partnering with a leading center like CISSA, operated by CESAR, is a key step. Our goal is to combine global expertise with local knowledge to develop innovative solutions for the most complex cybersecurity challenges. Together, we’ll not only advance cutting-edge research but also train the next generation of experts who will ensure a safer digital future for everyone,”
— Newton Neto, Director of Global Partnerships at Google for Latin America.

With a mission to drive technological progress and expand knowledge in the field, CISSA has been consolidating its role as a leader in digital security. Its activities engage a multidisciplinary ecosystem of talent, including postdoctoral, doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate researchers, as well as professionals from partner organizations.

CISSA’s research is structured around four core themes: identity and access management, data protection and privacy, cyber threat intelligence, and legal, ethical, and behavioral aspects of cybersecurity. In addition to developing impactful technological solutions, the center is also committed to advancing workforce development and integrating startups into its ecosystem, expanding the reach and impact of cybersecurity innovation.

About CESAR

CESAR is Brazil’s most complete innovation and knowledge center, recognized for developing complex technological solutions that drive social impact. For nearly three decades, CESAR has combined research, business acceleration, and technology to help organizations reach new levels of competitiveness — while also advancing education through the CESAR School.

Headquartered in Recife, at the heart of Porto Digital, one of Latin America’s largest innovation hubs, CESAR delivers over 130 projects each year in partnership with global corporations, has trained more than 9,000 professionals, and supported over 1,000 startups in the past two years alone. Today, with over 1,400 team associates and a growing presence in Europe through its office in Aveiro, Portugal, CESAR continues to expand its international footprint and impact.