PARIS (Business Emerge/Europe): A cyber incident affecting the French Interior Ministry’s internal email network was confirmed this week, prompting a formal inquiry and the deployment of additional security protocols across the system.
Officials stated that the intrusion was identified during routine monitoring, and preliminary checks showed that certain files stored on the ministry’s servers were accessed without authorization. The ministry said the assessment began earlier this week after security teams flagged unusual activity.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez informed a national broadcaster that the breach allowed the intruder to view multiple internal documents. He noted that initial inspections did not show signs of deep alteration or major data loss, although a full audit remains underway.
Authorities have not yet determined who carried out the attack or the method used to enter the system. The ministry has increased verification steps for its staff and restricted certain login pathways while investigators review logs, system traces and file access patterns.
France has previously reported similar cybersecurity incidents involving government networks, leading to periodic upgrades in digital infrastructure and emergency preparedness. The Interior Ministry manages sensitive administrative communications, which has made its network a frequent target for attempted intrusions in recent years.
The latest event is expected to draw renewed attention to digital security standards within European institutions, especially as cross-border cyber threats become more sophisticated. Analysts note that even limited unauthorized access can disrupt internal workflows and require lengthy technical inspections.
Once the inquiry is completed, the ministry is likely to introduce additional safeguards and update internal procedures to reduce the chance of recurrence. Further details on the source, scale and technical nature of the breach are expected once investigators finish their review.
