️ History of a Cyberattack: Fundación YOD’s new podcast

gives voice to those who faced Costa Rica’s most severe digital crisis

On April 20, 2025, Fundación YOD officially launches History of a Cyberattack, an original podcast series that reconstructs, through firsthand testimonies, what happened during the cyberattack that paralyzed key services of the Costa Rican government in 2022.

This project emerges from the need to build collective memory, strengthen a culture of cybersecurity, and share valuable lessons with institutions, countries, and individuals seeking to better respond to digital crises.

Episode 1: The Day Hacienda Sounded the Alarms

The first episode features Alicia Avendaño, who served as Director of Technology at the Ministry of Finance during the initial stages of the attack. Her testimony walks us through the critical first hours — identifying the incident, making urgent decisions, and managing the pressure and uncertainty of defending the country from the inside, without manuals or clear precedents.

Episode 2: Governing Under Attack

The second episode, to be released on April 27, features Jorge Mora, former Director of Digital Governance at MICITT. He offers insight into the strategic decisions taken amidst chaos, while the country was under a state of digital emergency.

Upcoming Episodes

The third episode will feature Álvaro Ramos, Executive Director of Costa Rica’s Social Security System (CCSS), during the second wave of attacks declared under the National Emergency Decree.

In a group episode, Paula Brenes and Idannia Mata will share their experience managing the post-attack response and the recovery process.

“This podcast is more than just a recount of past events — it’s a learning tool for other nations and organizations. Listening to those on the front lines teaches us powerful lessons on leadership, international cooperation, and the importance of cyber resilience.”
— Paula Brenes Ramírez, Director of Fundación YOD

History of a Cyberattack is part of the Redes de Confianza series, aimed at making complex topics such as digital security, international cooperation, and cyber diplomacy more accessible to the public, through a human-centered storytelling approach — in collaboration with Ciudad Click Digital Studio.

Listen to the episode on Spotify
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