Ransomware Attack On French Ministry of Justice

France’s justice ministry was hit by a cyber attack on Friday 28th January and an investigation has been launched. Cyber criminals though to be using Lockbit 2.0 ransomware claim to have breached the Ministry's systems encrypted its files and are threatening to make public the files stolen from the government organisation.

The criminals have reportedly threatened that the stolen data will be published if the ransom is not paid by 10 February.  

While the extent of the attack remains unclear, the Ministry said in a statement  it had become aware of the alert and immediately took steps to carry out the necessary checks, in conjunction with the relevant competent departments, without providing further information about the operation's scale. No other information has been released about the ransom demand by French government sources. 

Other French organisations have been targeted with the malware in the past. Earlier this month the Lockbit 2.0 group published data from French defense and security firm Thales on its website and the site also contains data from French energy Schneider Electric dated December 2021. The Lockbit 2.0 gang has also claimed responsibility for a similar attack on the services of Saint-Cloud’s town hall in the outskirts of Paris. French daily Le Parisien reported that the town’s mayor had already announced that he would not pay a ransom.

The cyber attack comes a day after the national Court of Auditors published a Report on the digital transformation of the justice ministry, which points out that “a lot of work remains to be done” when it comes to the security of its information systems. 

Politico:     Reuters:      Euractiv:       InfoTechlead:    The Hindu:      CComptes:    Security Week

You Might Also Read: 

Canadian Government Ministry Under Attack:
 

« Academic Institutions At Risk Of Cyber Attacks
‘Honey Trap’ Sites Recruiting Israeli Spies »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC - the first, easy-to-use, enterprise-grade information security solution for compliance and risk management - offers businesses efficient control tracking, testing, and enforcement.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

Zybert Computing

Zybert Computing

Zybert Computing provide server solutions with built-in security and information protection features for the SME market.

Perforce Software

Perforce Software

Perforce helps companies build complex software products more collaboratively, securely, and efficiently.

RCMP Cybercrime Strategy

RCMP Cybercrime Strategy

The RCMP Cybercrime Strategy sets out in an Operational Framework and Action Plan to combat cybercrime.

NetMotion Software

NetMotion Software

NetMotion Software specializes in mobile performance management solutions to manage, secure and support the mobile enterprise.

SentinelOne

SentinelOne

SentinelOne is a pioneer in delivering autonomous security for the endpoint, datacenter and cloud environments to help organizations secure their assets with speed and simplicity.

Be Cyber Aware At Sea

Be Cyber Aware At Sea

Be Cyber Aware At Sea is a global maritime and offshore industry initiative to raise awareness and educate crew members and the offshore workforce.

Exabeam

Exabeam

Exabeam provides security intelligence and management solutions to help organizations of any size protect their most valuable information.

Wayra UK

Wayra UK

Wayra UK, part of Telefónica Open Future, has been chosen to run a new cyber accelerator facility to help UK start-ups grow and take the lead in producing the next generation of cyber security systems

Curtail

Curtail

Curtail keeps businesses running by using live traffic analysis to identify defects before software goes live, and detect and isolate security threats before they impact systems.

Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions.

Infosec Cloud

Infosec Cloud

Infosec Cloud is a specialist Cyber Security company offering fully managed Training & Testing Services in addition to market leading Cyber Security technology and accredited professional services.

Unciphered

Unciphered

Unciphered was created as the first company providing services for opening locked hardware cryptocurrency wallets.

CentriVault

CentriVault

CentriVault is a leading independent provider of Cyber Security and Data protection services to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

NetHope

NetHope

NetHope is a membership-based organization serving the international nonprofit humanitarian, development, and conservation sector through digital transformation.

A76

A76

A76 offers a range of highly specialized services to protect your business.

ZEUSS

ZEUSS

ZEUSS is a diversified data center, cybersecurity, and green energy company.