Several French state services have been the subject of computer attacks since Sunday of “unprecedented intensity”, AFP learned Monday from the government, with several hackers, particularly pro-Russians, claiming responsibility.
Different hacker groups have claimed responsibility for these attacks on Telegram. Among them is Anonymous Sudan, a group that supports Russia and several Islamist causes. These hackers speak of a “massive cyberattack” targeting in particular the ministries of the Economy, Culture, Ecological Transition, the Prime Minister’s services or the General Directorate of Civil Aviation.
But these attacks “are not attributable to the Russians at this stage,” reacted a security source. Anonymous Sudan’s claim is, however, “credible”, a source close to the matter told AFP, with another security source urging caution.
“Since yesterday evening, several State services have been the subject of computer attacks whose technical methods are classic, but the intensity is unprecedented,” indicated the Prime Minister’s services, which have set up “a crisis to deploy countermeasures.”
Many ministerial services were affected, such as the Ministry of Labor.
“At this stage, the impact of these attacks has been reduced for most services and access to state sites restored,” however, assure the Prime Minister’s services.
Before the Paris Olympic Games this summer, the European elections on June 9 will be “a considerable challenge and target” of foreign manipulation, the Secretary General of Defense and National Security (SGDSN), Stéphane Bouillon, warned on Wednesday. .
The SGDSN, dependent on the Prime Minister, must organize on March 29 for all French political parties candidates in these European elections a meeting to “awareness of so-called hybrid threats” in order to address the risks of “cyberattacks, manipulation of information and foreign interference.
French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, for his part, called on February 20 for the strengthening of security measures in the face of threats of Russian “sabotage and cyberattack” which target his ministry “primarily”, according to an internal memo including AFP was aware.