The telecom operator SFR is facing a new IT security scandal. Just a few weeks after a first hack in September 2024, the subsidiary of the Altice group is once again the target of a cyberattack, exposing sensitive data of its customers and employees. This repetition highlights glaring gaps in the security of its infrastructures and crisis management which raises questions.
A second hack with worrying consequences
According to initial information, the hackers exploited already known vulnerabilities to access critical databases. The compromised information includes login credentials and personal data, although SFR has assured that no banking data was affected. However, the impact remains major for subscribers, whose trust in the operator is undermined.
The National Information Systems Security Agency (ANSSI) has been contacted, while SFR is trying to reassure its users with urgently announced corrective measures. However, this situation raises questions about the preventive actions actually implemented after the first incident.
September 2024: a warning not taken seriously?
The previous hack had already revealed significant vulnerabilities. At the time, SFR had promised a strengthening of its security measures: external audits, revisions of protocols and awareness of internal teams. These commitments appear to have been partially, or even insufficiently, implemented. The return of the same issues indicates a structural defect in the company's cybersecurity.
For a player of the magnitude of SFR, whose millions of customers expect impeccable protection, this new failure could have lasting repercussions, both in terms of image and at the legal level.
A sector under increasing pressure
This double incident also highlights the vulnerability of large telecom operators, whose critical infrastructures have become prime targets for hackers. The rise of cyber threats requires significant investments in security technologies, but also an internal culture oriented towards vigilance and prevention.
The authorities are now calling on players in the sector to strengthen their collaborations with cybersecurity experts and accelerate the adoption of higher standards. Based on this latest event, SFR will not only have to regain the trust of its subscribers, but also demonstrate that it has learned lessons from this double fault to avoid a third attack which could be fatal in terms of reputation.
A message to remember
These incidents remind us that IT security is not an option, but an obligation in a hyperconnected world. For businesses, it's no longer just about investing in tools, but also about creating true resilience against cyberthreats. For consumers, this is a call for vigilance: your data is precious, and their protection must be a shared priority.
