Cyberattack on the French Interior Ministry: Sensitive files stolen, urgent action taken

The French government officially acknowledged on Wednesday that the Interior Ministry had been subjected to a cyberattack that lasted for several days, resulting in the extraction and theft of confidential records and security files, in an incident that highlights the growing challenges facing government institutions in the digital space.

Details of the breach and official admission

Laurent Nunez, in his testimony before members of the National Assembly, described the incident as “very serious.” The government official explained that initial investigations revealed the security breach was not so much the result of sophisticated hacking techniques as it was due to weaknesses in digital security and adherence to security protocols. It was found that the breach was facilitated by the exchange of sensitive passwords granting access to protected files through previously compromised professional messaging systems, highlighting the critical role of “human error” in the cybersecurity equation.

The nature of the leaked data and the discrepancies in the figures

This breach allowed hackers access to the heart of security databases, where they were able to view files classified as "highly sensitive." Among the most critical files accessed were those containing criminal records and wanted persons, two essential components of the work of French security forces and police.

While a group of hackers claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting they had stolen data on some 16 million people, Nunez attempted to downplay the figure, emphasizing that at this stage of the investigation, only “a few dozen records” had been confirmed to have been extracted. This discrepancy in figures is a common feature of major cyberattacks, where attackers seek to exaggerate their success to increase pressure, while authorities strive to verify the data before announcing the final extent of the damage.

Context of global cyber threats

This attack cannot be separated from the tense global context, where cyber warfare targeting government infrastructure in Europe and around the world has escalated. Interior and defense ministries are high-priority targets for hacking groups, whether motivated by criminal intent (ransom demands) or geopolitical motives aimed at destabilization and exposing security vulnerabilities.

Digital security experts point out that this incident highlights the importance of moving to stricter security models such as the “Zero Trust” model, especially in dealing with criminal data whose leakage could lead to real risks affecting the lives of individuals and the safety of ongoing security operations.

Immediate actions and future measures

In response to what he described as a “disregard” for security standards, Laurent Nunez announced immediate measures and a series of urgent “remedial actions” to strengthen the ministry’s cybersecurity. These measures are expected to include a comprehensive review of access privileges, changes to authentication protocols, and extensive investigations to determine responsibility and ensure that such breaches, which undermine the prestige of the state and the security of its citizens, are not repeated.