February 2024 has not been an easy month in the French cybersecurity landscape. As businesses and institutions continue to navigate an increasingly digitized world, cybercriminals continue to perfect their attack methods. February 2024 saw a 36% increase in ransomware attacks over the previous year. These attacks are not limited to large infrastructures or businesses, but are spreading to vital sectors such as healthcare and logistics, directly impacting citizens’ lives and national security. In the face of a growing ransomware threat, vigilance and adequate preparation are essential.
Among the highlights of the month, Operation Cronos targeted the Lockbit ransomware group as part of an international effort, to which France contributed. This operation partially neutralized a notorious cybercrime network, thanks to unprecedented international collaboration. This success underlines the importance of cooperation and technological innovation in the fight against advanced cyber threats.
Comparative analysis: the evolution of ransomware cyberattacks in France between February 2023 and February 2024
A direct comparison between February 2023 and February 2024 shows a notable increase in ransomware attacks in France, from 14 claimed attacks to 19. This rise of almost 36% reflects a worrying trend and highlights the need for organizations of all sizes to increase their vigilance and strengthen their security measures. The prevalence of these attacks underlines the importance of proactive cybersecurity strategies to anticipate and counter threats.
Lockbit tops the list of ransomware attacks claimed in February 2024 in France
In February 2024, the Lockbit 3.0 group stood out as the most active in France, claiming four ransomware attacks. This represents a significant prevalence compared to other groups such as 8Base, Hunter or Cactus. The actions of Lockbit 3.0 demonstrate a capacity for adaptation and continuous innovation, making this group a prominent threat in the French cybersecurity landscape. This threat overview underlines the growing importance of cybersecurity for French public and private entities, faced with an increasingly sophisticated and daring array of cybercriminals.
Key moments in the fight against ransomware in February 2024
In February 2024, the battle against ransomware attacks reached a decisive moment, thanks to important actions both locally and internationally. Among these initiatives, Operation Cronos was the highlight. This large-scale operation demonstrates the importance of international collaboration between law enforcement agencies to counter these threats. At the same time, awareness-raising and training programs were stepped up, targeting both businesses and the general public, with the aim of reinforcing digital security behaviors. The combined efforts of the public and private sectors have made a significant contribution to improving the ability to detect and react to cyber-attacks, thereby reducing their potential consequences.
Operation Cronos: a decisive response to Lockbit
Operation Cronos, launched in February 2024, represents a significant success in the fight against the Lockbit 3.0 group. This international operation, in which France played an active role, dismantled part of the infrastructure of this formidable group of cybercriminals. Thanks to this coordinated action, several command and control servers were seized, and crucial information on the group’s operating methods was gathered, paving the way for future anti-ransomware operations.
Despite the success of Operation Cronos against Lockbit 3.0 , the group quickly reorganized its operations, establishing a new data leak site and publishing a detailed memo to the FBI. LockBit announced its return with an updated infrastructure and new security mechanisms. This resilience demonstrates the complexity of permanently neutralizing such cybercriminal networks.
Focus on major cyberattacks in France: Centre Hospitalier d’Armentières, Groupe Charles André (GCA), and the Viamedis and Almerys affair
In February 2024, the cybersecurity landscape in France was marked by several notable incidents.
- Center Hospitalier d’Armentières : Victim of a ransomware cyberattack on the night of February 10-11, 2024. This attack caused significant disruption to hospital operations, including the temporary closure of the emergency department . Around 300,000 patient records were reportedly compromised, highlighting the critical vulnerability of healthcare infrastructures .
- Groupe Charles André (GCA): Attacked as part of a cyber attack for which the claim was published on the RansomHouse website. The attack specifically concerned the group’s activities in the Netherlands, highlighting the risks to which logistics players are exposed.
- Viamedis and Almerys affair: Over 33 million policyholders were affected by a hack on these third-party payment operators at the end of January 2024. The attack exposed sensitive personal data such as civil status, Social Security numbers and information on customers’ mutual insurance companies. An investigation has been opened by the Paris public prosecutor’s office into these cyberattacks, which could have lasting consequences for the healthcare sector and the security of patient data.
Learning from February to strengthen cybersecurity
The month of February 2024 was rich in lessons for France’s cybersecurity community. Operation Cronos and attacks against major targets reaffirmed the need for a collaborative and proactive approach to ransomware threats. The lessons learned from these events should guide future security strategies, with an emphasis on innovation, training, and international cooperation to effectively anticipate and counter cyber threats.
