French NATIONAL DIGITAL SECURITY STRATEGY — objective 4 STAKES C yberspace is under rapid growth. 100,000 new objects connect to the Internet every hour. Many French businesses participate in international shows and the success of the «French Tech» initiative for example, shows a real dynamism of French innovation in digital products and services. However, this reality should not hide a certain loss of control and real technological dependence. Large equipment that ensures the functioning of electronic communication networks with infrastructures located in France, is often designed, developed and managed from centres located outside Europe. The same goes for most of the communications and data security equipment of our operators of vital importance. The operation of an increasing number of businesses is based on the use of applications and data processing hosted in uncontrolled virtual spaces, supported by physical infrastructures located outside the national territory and not subject to European law. With the increase in the number of connected objects or the concentration of on-line service platforms in the hands of only a few stakeholders for example, current developments both in technology and in economic models magnify this loss of control in the national cyberspace. In the event of an international crisis, access to entire sections of cyberspace could be contested. The answer to this issue of sovereignty requires first and foremost the maintenance of a strong and competitive national and European industry in the specialised field of cybersecurity products and services. In general, it requires the development, in France and Europe, of a digital equipment and service offer that provides clients with the guarantees of security and trust adapted to the issues and uses. Users do not have the means to ensure the level of security of digital objects and services themselves. The promotion of security in marketing arguments by suppliers is becoming widespread 30 « The development of an offer of cybersecurity products and services by national businesses in the digital technology sector should also be seen as an essential factor of competitiveness for these businesses. » without, however, allowing for an objective evaluation of the level of security actually achieved. The development of greater clarity in terms of security in the digital offer based on objective elements that can be verified by a third party, constitutes a major challenge for ensuring trust in the digital economy. The development of an offer of cybersecurity products and services by national businesses in the digital technology sector should also be seen as an essential factor of competitiveness for these businesses. The field of payment methods (smart cards, payment terminals, etc.) is the archetype of an economic sector in which an adapted level of security against threats which can be verified by third parties constitutes a first-line marketing argument. Several national businesses hold a competitive international position in this sector that is largely due to the excellence that they were able to develop and demonstrate in the field of security. The increase in cyber threats and the growing awareness of the reality of these threats will lead to making security an essential purchase criterion in many other sectors a few years from now. Acting now to improve the security and transparency of the national offer for digital solutions also means preparing their future competitiveness. In 2015, the share of French businesses, and especially SMEs, that widely use digital technology is only within the average of the European countries. Catching up from behind should be accompanied by improved security of the digital lives of businesses starting with better security of their information systems. This is essential for our competitiveness and therefore our jobs. The challenge for French businesses is to reconcile the search for productivity, savings and