Zapopan, Jalisco; July 30, 2026. The Universidad Panamericana is strengthening its leadership in international scientific research with the recognition awarded to Dr. Guillermo Sosa Gómez, a professor and researcher at the Guadalajara campus, by the Cuban Academy of Sciences, thanks to his participation in a research project focused on the development of new symmetric encryption methods—a key technology for cybersecurity and information protection.
This recognition is the result of nearly a decade of scientific collaboration between the Universidad Panamericana and prestigious Cuban institutions, consolidating an international partnership aimed at generating high-impact knowledge in strategic areas for digital transformation.
International Research to Strengthen Cybersecurity
In addition to his work at the Universidad Panamericana, Dr. Guillermo Sosa Gómez is an associate professor at the Reputation Management in Education Laboratory (RepLab) at HSE University in St. Petersburg, Russia, and directs the Universidad Panamericana ’s Satellite Laboratory within the International Consortium of Satellite Laboratories for Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability.
The award presented by the Cuban Academy of Sciences honors the project “Algorithms on Finite Fields Applied to the Construction of Symmetric Encryption Methods”, developed in collaboration with Dr. Oristela Cuéllar Jústiz, Dr. Evaristo José Madarro Capó—a professor at the Universidad Panamericana —and Dr. Omar Rojas.
The research was conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Cryptography at the University of Havana and the University of Information Sciences, as part of a formal scientific cooperation agreement.
Cryptography: Protecting Information in a Digital World
The project focuses on the development of symmetric encryption algorithms, a technology used to protect information using shared keys that enable data to be encrypted and decrypted quickly and efficiently.
According to Dr. Guillermo Sosa Gómez, designing these types of algorithms involves overcoming mathematical and technological challenges to ensure that the systems are resistant to cryptographic attacks without compromising their performance.
The research aims to strengthen digital security through algorithms capable of responding to an environment where computing power is constantly evolving and demands increasingly robust solutions.
Theoretical and Practical Challenges of Symmetric Encryption
The research focuses on symmetric encryption, a method of protecting information that uses shared keys to encrypt and decrypt data. This type of encryption is characterized by its speed and efficiency, which is why it is used in numerous contemporary digital systems and protocols.
The design of these algorithms poses both theoretical and practical challenges. From a mathematical standpoint, it is necessary to construct structures that are robust enough to withstand various types of cryptographic attacks. From an applied perspective, the algorithms must be efficiently implemented in software and hardware without compromising the security or performance of the systems.
Increases in computing power make it necessary to continually review and strengthen cryptographic standards. Therefore, security does not depend solely on increasing the length of keys or passwords, but also on using strong algorithms, appropriate authentication systems, up-to-date protocols, and responsible credential management practices.
The Quantum Era and the Challenges of AI
The development of quantum computing is one of the major future challenges for cybersecurity. Although these technologies are not yet widely used, the scientific community has been working for years on post-quantum algorithms designed to protect information against computing capabilities that are significantly more powerful than those currently available.
Added to this scenario is the rapid development of artificial intelligence. These technologies can strengthen threat detection and improve defense mechanisms, but they can also be used to identify vulnerabilities, automate attacks, or expand cryptanalysis capabilities.
Dr. Sosa Gómez distinguishes between cryptography, which is aimed at protecting information, and cryptanalysis, which is dedicated to studying and evaluating the strength of cryptographic systems. The latter activity can be carried out for scientific and security purposes, although its methods can also be used maliciously to attempt to breach systems.
In this context, mathematical research, technological advancements, and international cooperation are essential for anticipating risks and developing more secure digital infrastructures.
Research on Sustainability, ESG, and University Rankings
In addition to his contributions to cryptography and cybersecurity, Dr. Guillermo Sosa Gómez conducts research on sustainability, ESG criteria, carbon footprints, the social mission of universities, and the evaluation of international higher education rankings.
One of its main research focuses is to analyze the methodological consistency of university sustainability rankings and to understand why the same institution can rank very differently depending on the indicators used.
This research aims to provide tools that will enable a more rigorous interpretation of the rankings and contribute to evidence-based decision-making.
Cooperation within the International Consortium of Satellite Laboratories
These lines of work are also being carried out within the framework of the International Consortium of Satellite Laboratories for Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, an international academic platform coordinated by HSE University in St. Petersburg.
Within this network, Dr. Guillermo Sosa Gómez directs the Satellite Laboratory of the Universidad Panamericana, while his role as an associate professor at RepLab strengthens the academic collaboration between the Universidad Panamericana , and HSE University.
The consortium brings together universities from various countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America and promotes comparative research, joint publications, student training, service-learning projects, and the exchange of best practices in social entrepreneurship, sustainability, and university impact.
One of the main outcomes of this collaboration has been the publication of an international book of social entrepreneurship case studies, designed as a resource for university teaching. The book brings together experiences from different countries and aims to facilitate the analysis of organizations that combine innovation, sustainability, and social impact.
A publishing project on the university's mission
As part of the international conference "The Third Mission of Universities as Drivers of Social Change", to be held in September at the Mixcoac campus of the Universidad Panamericana, Dr. Guillermo Sosa Gómez, together with Dr. Magdalena Gaete Sepúlveda, coordinated the publication of a book dedicated to the university’s social mission.
The book, published by the Universidad Panamericana in Spanish and English to mark its 60th anniversary, brings together international perspectives on university identity, social responsibility, and the role of higher education in addressing technological, scientific, and sustainability challenges.
UP Strengthens Its Leadership in Research
The recognition awarded by the Cuban Academy of Sciences reflects the impact of the research conducted by the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine ( Universidad Panamericana ) and its ability to build international networks for scientific collaboration.
Through projects that integrate cryptography, cybersecurity, sustainability, innovation, and higher education, the National Institute of Telecommunications and Information Technology ( Universidad Panamericana ) reaffirms its commitment to knowledge creation, high-level research, and the development of solutions that contribute to the well-being of society.
