Every October, France participates in the major European cybersecurity awareness campaign, an initiative launched in 2012 by theEuropean Union Agencye for cybersecurity. Pierre-André Durand, prefect of Haute-Garonne, underlines the importance of promoting the culture of cybersecurity in all member states: “we know that France, just like its European partners, is vulnerable to increasingly cyberattacks. more sophisticated,” he recalls.
A crucial issue for everyone
The figures revealed by the prefect are striking: “ almost 90% of French people have already been victims of a digital threat and a quarter of them remain insufficiently informed of the risks,” he quotes.
This ignorance exposes many citizens and institutions to cyberattacks ranging from bank card fraud to account hacking, including scams such asphishing. “This type of fraud, often simple to implement, is extremely effective,” insists Pierre-André Durand, emphasizing that seven out of ten French people have already been confronted with it.
The consequences of these digital attacks can be considerable. “An attack can cause significant damage, leading even successful businesses to bankruptcy,” he warns. The threat does not only come from isolated cybercriminalsbut also of States engaged in strategies of digital aggression. “In the context of current geopolitical tensions, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, France is particularly exposed,” specifies Christophe Fleury, delegate for digital security in the Occitanie region.
Adapted responses: three levels of protection
To counter this growing threat, France has put in place a solid prevention and response architecture. Pierre-André Durand details the three main levels of protection available. The first is the Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr platform, which helps individuals, small businesses and local authorities. “This tool offers practical advice, a quick and free diagnosis, and allows you to get in touch with trusted IT service providers,” he explains.
The second system, Cyber'Occ, is aimed at SMEs, mid-sized companies and medium-sized local authorities in the region, offering support to strengthen response capacities in the face of cyberattacks. Finally, the system supported by Anssi CERT-FR (Government Center for Monitoring, Alerting and Response to Computer Attacks), managed by ANSSI (National Agency for Information Systems Security), is dedicated to large companies and regulated players.
These systems allow effective and coordinated support in the face of incidents. “Whether you are an individual, a small business or a large organization, there are suitable solutions to deal with cyber threats,” assures the prefect.
Essential awareness
Pierre-André Durand insists on the importance of education and preparation. “It’s not just about reacting to attacks, but learning how to prevent them,” he says. This proactive approach involvesinculcation of good practices in cybersecurity, not only within companiesbut also in the public sector. The prefect recalls having participated in numerous events to raise awareness among various audiences, including mayors, chambers of commerce, agricultural organizations and other regional bodies.
Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr offers resources to help crisis managementincluding reflex sheets et detailed advice. “It is a device that offers valuable support, especially in the event of an attack where the urgency of the situation can confuse the victims,” underlines Christophe Fleury. Businesses also have the opportunity to receive advice on establishing crisis management plans and simulation exercises to better prepare for potential attacks.
A constantly evolving threat
The scale of cyberattacks continues to grow, both in frequency and sophistication. “Cybercriminals are becoming more professional and diversifying their methods, ranging from simple hackers to state actors carrying out organized attacks,” warns Christophe Fleury. This complexity requires increased vigilance and constant updating of defense techniques. The situation in France is all the more worrying as many strategic sectors have been targeted in recent years, ranging from hospitals to small craft businesses.
“No one is safe, and it is crucial that public and private actors are made aware and organized to minimize the impact of attacks,” adds the prefect.
In Occitania, several initiatives have been launched to strengthen the culture of cybersecurity at all levels. Crisis simulations and training intended to communities have been identified as essential levers to prepare all stakeholders. The prefect also highlighted the importance of decentralization and the involvement of local stakeholders: “A regional center cannot manage everything alone, hence the importance of relying on a network of capable local stakeholders. to relay these initiatives.”
However, Pierre-André Durand recognizes that certain communities, particularly smaller ones, still lack the resources necessary to adapt quickly. Although tools are made available free of charge, their use remains uneven. “We need communities, even the smallest, to adopt these practices so that protection is comprehensive,” he insisted.
Towards increased resilience
Pierre-André Durand hopes that cybersecurity month will help strengthen society's resilience in the face of omnipresent threats. “The attacker is no longer just the image of a hooded hacker in a garage, but a strategic actor with advanced skills,” he recalls. Developing a culture of cybersecurity at all levels, from administrative staff to managers, is essentiall to minimize risks.
The prefect concludes on a note of hope: “with collective mobilization and appropriate systems, we can create an effective barrier against these threats and protect citizens and businesses in the face of an increasingly complex digital context.”
This mobilization must be global, and the commitment of local actors is decisive for the Occitanie region to become a model of digital resilience.
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