October marks the arrival of Cybermoi/s 2023, an annual event dedicated to cybersecurity awareness and prevention. For its 11th edition, from October 2 to 27, Cybermoi/s returns with a series of initiatives and events to educate the public about current threats and best practices for protecting oneself.
Organized by Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, this month is an opportunity to highlight current cybersecurity issues, understand the threats and share practical advice for businesses and individuals. This annual initiative is all the more crucial given that cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and can have devastating consequences for businesses and individuals alike. The theme of the 2023 event is social engineering.
As threats multiply and become more sophisticated, it has become imperative for everyone to take proactive measures to protect themselves. Cybermoi/s 2023 offers a unique opportunity to familiarize yourself with the tools and strategies needed to strengthen your online security.
What is Cybermoi/s?
The European Cybersecurity Month initiative, known by the acronym ECSM, was launched in 2012 by the European Union Cybersecurity Agency, ENISA. The initiative was born out of a growing awareness of the increasing prevalence of cyberattacks. Over time, the severity and complexity of these attacks have increased exponentially, underlining the urgent need to raise public awareness of these threats.
Recognizing the importance of this mission, France has adapted this initiative to its national context, renaming it “Cybermoi/s”. This French version emphasizes the specificities of the French cyber landscape, with a focus on training and prevention, to arm citizens against the growing threats of the digital world.
Each year, Cybermoi/s has evolved to address emerging threats and provide solutions adapted to the changing challenges of the digital world. This year, the focus will be on social engineering. A scourge in constant progression, as demonstrated by the recent example of theattack suffered by MGM and Caesars casinos and hotels in Las Vegas.
Social engineering, an insidious and silent threat
Social engineering has become a major vector of attack in the cyber world. It refers to the techniques used by cybercriminals to manipulate their victims into divulging confidential information.
Cybermoi/s 2023: focus on social engineering fraud
Social engineering has become a major concern in the cybersecurity landscape, as ANSSI emphasizes at this 11th edition of Cybermoi/s. This technique, which relies on manipulating individuals by exploiting their trust, is used by cybercriminals to extort money or obtain personal information.
At the heart of this year’s theme, the focus on social engineering underlines the importance of the human dimension in cybersecurity. It’s not just about technology, but also about understanding human behavior and motivations.
Attacks on the increase
The French version of European Cybersecurity Month 2023 highlights this form of attack, underlining the importance of raising awareness of this threat. In their quest for new methods of attack, cybercriminals have turned to social engineering, exploiting human nature to achieve their ends.
While phishing remains a predominant threat, other forms of attack, such as fake bank advisor fraud or password-stealing viruses, are gaining in popularity. These attacks are affecting an ever wider audience, from individuals to businesses, hospitals and local authorities. Many local authorities, associations, hospitals and businesses of all sizes are also targets of ransomware. Last year, almost 280,000 requests for assistance were registered on the Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr website.
Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly creative, and their methods are becoming increasingly professionalized and sophisticated. ” For some months now, we’ve been seeing an increasing number of scams in which cybercriminals use human piracy to decode their victims’ behavior and take advantage of their lack of knowledge,” says Jérôme Notin, Managing Director of Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr. Faced with this growing threat, awareness-raising and education are essential to arm citizens against these cyberthreats.
Cybermoi/s 2023, the program for this 11th edition
Cybermoi/s 2023 promises to be rich in events and activities. It kicks off on October 2 at the Cyber Campus, followed by round tables, workshops and seminars throughout the month. The #CyberResponsible initiative will also be launched, aimed at promoting cybersecurity best practices to the general public. Each activity is designed to offer an interactive learning experience, enabling participants to acquire practical skills and understand current cybersecurity issues.
Throughout the month, a variety of activities will be offered, ranging from citizen actions to conferences, video campaigns and articles. You can find the full program of events dedicated to Cybermoi/s 2023 throughout France, both physical workshops and conferences and online, on the Cybermoi/s 2023 agenda page.
Professional advice on cybersecurity
As part of Cybermoi/s 2023, Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, in collaboration with CampusCyber and with the support of IT federations, has highlighted this issue by creating a summary sheet presenting the “5 essential recommendations for businesses” in terms of cybersecurity. The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness of cybersecurity issues among small and medium-sized businesses via their IT service providers.
These tips, while fundamental, form the basis of a sound cybersecurity strategy. By adopting them, companies can significantly reduce their vulnerability to cyber-attacks and ensure better protection of their digital assets.
Key recommendations for companies :
- Choose strong, different passwords for each service: Passwords are the first line of defense. They must be long (at least 12 characters), unique for each service, and regularly updated. Double authentication is also recommended.
- Make regular, disconnected backups: In the event of a cyber-attack, having recent backups that are disconnected from the network is essential for data recovery.
- Update all equipment and systems: Updates correct security vulnerabilities. It is therefore crucial to carry them out as soon as they become available.
- Be vigilant against phishing attempts: Fraudulent e-mails and SMS messages are commonplace. It is essential to train your teams to recognize and deal with these attempts.
- Work with trusted service providers: To assess and improve cybersecurity, it is advisable to work with recognized experts in the field.
The future of cybersecurity: a collective effort with the help of Cybermoi/s
Cybersecurity is much more than just a technical concern; it has become a major societal issue. In the digital age, where our lives are increasingly connected, protecting our information and privacy is of paramount importance. Cybermoi/s 2023, with its focus on social engineering, reminds us that the first line of defense against cyber attacks is often the individual. By educating ourselves, remaining vigilant and adopting secure practices, each and every one of us can contribute to strengthening the security of the entire digital community. Businesses, large and small, also have a crucial role to play in raising employee awareness and implementing robust security measures. Ultimately, cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and Cybermoi/s is an ideal opportunity for everyone to get actively involved in this mission.
