French NATIONAL DIGITAL SECURITY STRATEGY — objective 1
STAKES
F
rance is the target of cyberattacks that damage its fundamental interests.
Today, when an attacker targets the State,
operators of vital importance or strategic businesses, the aim is for long-term installation in the
information system in order to steal confidential
data (political, diplomatic, military, technological,
economic, financial or commercial). In the future,
an attacker could take control of connected objects,
remotely interrupt an industrial activity or destroy
its target. Since 2011, about one hundred major cyberattacks have been addressed, most often in complete confidentiality, by competent administrations
and service providers.
In parallel, the positions taken by France on the
international scene, its military operations and certain public debates are followed by cyberattacks
aimed at marking public opinion. For example,
the defacement of many websites after the terrorist attacks that targeted France in the beginning
of 2015 had a technically low but symbolically high
impact desired by the attackers. Similarly, the cyberattack that led to the interruption of an international French media was also aimed at making
a strong impression and contributes to the radicalisation that leads to terrorist acts. This attack also
demonstrated the capacity of attackers determined
to disrupt the functioning of a highly symbolic infrastructure.
For several years now many States have implemented their political will and considerable human, technical and financial means to carry out
large-scale cyberspace operations against us.
Whether they are known through publicly disclosed documents or revealed during the treatment
of cyberattacks, the excesses of such practices harm
the credibility of some of these States on the international scene and destroy the trust that would be
naturally attributed to their businesses’ digital products and services.
Therefore, the cyber risk, which was placed in
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« the excesses of such practices harm
the credibility of some of these States
on the international scene and destroy
the trust that would be naturally
attributed to their businesses’
digital products and services. »
third position for major threats to France by the
2013 White Paper on Defence and National Security,
is now reinforced and constitutes a major challenge
facing France.
OBJECTIVE
France will ensure the defence of its fundamental interests in cyberspace. It will reinforce the digital security of its critical infrastructures and do its
utmost to ensure that of its essential operators to
the economy.
ORIENTATIONS
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Having the scientific, technical and industrial
capabilities required to protect sovereign information, ensure cybersecurity and develop a trustworthy digital economy.
An Expert Panel for Digital Trust will be created,
under the aegis of the State Secretariat for Digital
Technology and the National Authority for the Security of Information Systems.
The Expert Panel for Digital Trust will very regularly unite the competent administrations of the Prime
Minister, the Ministries of National Education, Higher
Education and Research, Justice, Defence, Social Affairs, Health and Women’s Rights, Economy, Industry,
and Digital Technology and the Ministry of the Interior, the General Commission for Investment, the National Research Agency and the research organisations
concerned. The panel can include stakeholders from the