The French government announced on Monday that it had been the target of cyberattacks described as being of 'unprecedented intensity.' In response, a special crisis center was activated to address the situation and restore online services.
The attacks reportedly began on Sunday night and affected multiple government ministries, although specific details were not disclosed. By Monday afternoon, officials stated that the impact of the attacks had been mitigated for most services, and access to government websites had been reinstated.
A group of hackers known as Anonymous Sudan, believed to have ties to Russia according to cybersecurity experts, claimed responsibility for the cyberattacks in online posts. However, neither the French prime minister's office nor the digital safety agency confirmed this claim or provided further information on the targets or potential damages incurred.
According to a French official, the attacks were identified as denial-of-service attacks, a common form of cyberattack that involves overwhelming a website with data to disrupt its normal functioning and take it offline.
France has been actively working to enhance its cybersecurity defenses ahead of the upcoming Paris Olympics and in response to previous ransomware attacks, including those targeting hospitals in 2021.
The French government has previously accused Russia of engaging in a sustained online disinformation campaign against Ukraine's Western allies, which reportedly included tactics such as replicating the French Foreign Ministry website. President Emmanuel Macron has adopted a firm stance against Moscow, particularly in light of the conflict initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.
