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Digital Inequality and Cyber Risks in Indigenous Communities of Colombia: Challenges for Technological Resilience
The expansion of media, the development of new IT resources, the implementation of infrastructures with advanced technologies, and the increasing use of smart digital devices have heightened the risk of exclusion for vulnerable populations, such as Indigenous communities. These communities face structural, cultural, and technological barriers that significantly hinder their digital inclusion. This study aims to analyze the digital divide and the cyber risks faced by the Inga people, located in the municipality of San José del Fragua, Caquetá, and to propose strategies that strengthen their digital resilience through the adoption of culturally contextualized cybersecurity practices. A mixed-methods approach is applied, combining a quantitative analysis through structured surveys targeting young students and community members, with a qualitative analysis based on direct observations and semi-structured interviews. The results show low levels of digital literacy, limited access to information technologies, and scarce knowledge in cybersecurity—factors that increase their vulnerability to cyber threats. In response, a training program is proposed, focused on digital and cybersecurity skills tailored to their sociocultural context, aimed at improving knowledge, perception, and safe digital practices. The study concludes that it is essential to formulate intercultural public policies that promote digital inclusion and community-based cybersecurity as a means to advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in rural and Indigenous environments.
