Morocco is facing a surge in cyberattacks, a major challenge to its national security. During an intervention in Parliament, Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration, revealed alarming figures and outlined the measures taken to strengthen cybersecurity, protect essential infrastructure and counter growing cyber threats.
The Kingdom is experiencing a steady increase in the number of cyberattacks, a phenomenon that raises serious national security concerns. This observation was made by Abdellatif Loudiyi who raised this issue during an intervention before the Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Defense in Parliament. This speech is part of the presentation of his department’s budget for the year 2025, and highlights the efforts made to protect the country’s critical infrastructure against cyber threats.
Abdellatif Loudiyi revealed that the General Directorate of Information Systems Security (DGSSI), under the supervision of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), had detected a total of 644 attacks targeting electronic platforms across the country. These attacks are of a varied nature and mainly target computer systems and sensitive infrastructures. Of these 644 attacks, 134 required direct intervention to be neutralized, reflecting the persistence and increasing sophistication of the cyber threats facing the Kingdom. However, this situation highlights the vulnerability of digital systems, particularly those related to the management of public services, national security and the economy.
To respond to these threats, the DGSSI has taken concrete measures aimed at strengthening cybersecurity. In particular, it carried out a comprehensive security assessment of 64 electronic and mobile platforms deemed vital for the proper functioning of the country. These platforms, which include systems used in key sectors of government, the economy and critical infrastructure, have been placed under enhanced surveillance to prevent malicious intrusion.
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The DGSSI also activated the Computer Attack Monitoring, Surveillance and Response Center (maCERT), a structure dedicated to the management of cyber incidents. This center issued 16 alerts regarding critical vulnerabilities, which made it possible to alert stakeholders in time and take corrective measures before the attacks caused significant damage. In addition, the DGSSI has published 1,050 security notices and 575 bulletins for the stakeholders concerned, in order to share information and good practices in IT security.
In addition to these reactive measures, the DGSSI also carries out preventive work through training and awareness exercises. With this in mind, it organized the Cyber Training 2024 exercise, a simulation of cyberattacks intended to train the monitoring teams of critical institutions and infrastructures. This exercise involved 73 teams, thus making it possible to test the response capacity of the different actors when faced with IT crisis situations.
Another important part of the effort to improve Morocco’s cybersecurity is the establishment of the Cyber Challenge competition (CTF). This initiative aims to drive excellence in cybersecurity by encouraging professionals and students to solve complex IT security challenges. This type of competition helps promote innovation and research in the field of cybersecurity, by training a new generation of talents capable of responding to the technological challenges of tomorrow.
At the international level, Morocco actively engages in cooperation initiatives in cybersecurity. The DGSSI thus participated in international collaborative exercises and organized the fifth edition of the Cybersecurity Forum, a major event which brought together nearly 500 cybersecurity decision-makers, experts and professionals. This forum, which welcomed participants from African and Arab countries, made it possible to strengthen exchanges and promote regional cooperation in this strategic area.
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