In a significant security breach, the French Ministry of Interior has officially confirmed that its email servers were the target of a sophisticated cyberattack. The incident has caused notable disruptions to internal communications across key government domains.
The attack, which was detected overnight between December 11 and 12, 2025, primarily impacted the email infrastructure for:
interieur.gouv.fr(Ministry of Interior)gendarmerie.gouv.fr(National Gendarmerie)
The Scope of the Incident
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, speaking with RTL Radio, confirmed that attackers successfully gained access to a number of document files hosted on the ministry’s email servers. While the breach is serious, officials have emphasized that there is currently no evidence of “serious compromise” or confirmed data theft, though forensic investigations are still in the early stages.
“There was indeed a cyberattack. An attacker was able to access a number of files. We have implemented the usual protection procedures… it could be foreign interference, or it could be cybercrime. At this point, we don’t know.” — Laurent Nuñez, Interior Minister
Immediate Response and Investigation
In the wake of the discovery, the ministry’s cybersecurity teams moved quickly to:
Isolate affected systems to prevent further lateral movement by the attackers.
Tighten access controls and security protocols for all ministry agents.
Collaborate with ANSSI, France’s National Agency for the Security of Information Systems, to lead the technical investigation.
A Growing Threat Landscape
This incident follows a pattern of escalating cyber threats against French national infrastructure. Throughout 2024 and 2025, France has seen a 15% increase in security events, with state-sponsored groups like APT28 (linked to Russian intelligence) being previously blamed for campaigns targeting French government entities and the 2024 Olympic Games.
While the specific origin of this latest attack remains under investigation, authorities are exploring multiple scenarios, including foreign interference and strategic espionage.
Key Takeaways for Organizations
The breach of such a well-defended institution serves as a critical reminder for both the public and private sectors:
Email is a High-Value Target: Communication servers remain the primary gateway for sensitive operational intelligence.
Defense in Depth: Even with robust protocols, continuous monitoring and rapid response are essential to contain breaches before data is exfiltrated.
Zero-Trust is Necessary: Tightening access procedures and multi-factor authentication (MFA) are no longer optional—they are foundational.
Authorities are working to restore full services while fortifying the nation’s digital defenses against future incursions.
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