This Tuesday, January 11, Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior, presented a draft emergency number dedicated to cyber threats. The latter would be aimed at both businesses and individuals, and would offer personalized assistance, which could go as far as legal aid.
“One in two businesses, including SMEs, was the victim of a cyber attack during the year. And one in two people have experienced a phishing, identity or credit card scam. This will be the case for almost all citizens in the next five years ”. The observation made by Gérald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior, before the National Assembly is alarming.
However, the tenant of Place Beauvau relates only facts. Real and real, the threat is growing in importance today as hackers no longer content themselves with attacking isolated victims. In France and around the world, ransomware has notably led to an increase in deaths in hospitals. Several countries are now taking the problem very seriously and France intends to come to the aid of its fellow citizens.
What will the emergency number be used for in cyber attacks?
At the start of the week, Emmanuel Macron announced in Nice the next measures that will be put in place to fight against virtual threats. Among them is an emergency number dedicated to the latter. Just like the gendarmerie, and the fire brigade, it will be possible to call an expert for help in the event of hacking, ransom demand, etc.
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“Telephone contact is preferred to avoid a person having to use a potentially compromised computer”, explains the Ministry of the Interior, while specifying that an online platform could possibly emerge. The number can be called by an individual, a company or an administration, 24/7.
The victims will then be put in touch with members of the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (Anssi) or of the Ministry of the Interior. Ransomware recipients will benefit frompersonalized support can go “To the taking of a complaint or to first level actions to guarantee the preservation of the evidence”, while people with a question relating to their online safety will get an immediate answer.
“For the moment we are for the moment more in the intention than in the concrete”, however, admits the ministry. At present, no number has been assigned in the service. However, this is a first step in the fight against a phenomenon that costs the French billions of euros each year.
Source: Le Figaro
