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France Lags Behind in Cybersecurity Despite €290 Million in GDPR Fines

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PARIS - A new report highlights the alarming state of cybersecurity in France, where companies are failing to implement basic security measures despite facing significant fines under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Cybersecurity in Europe: A Comparative Analysis

According to the report, Germany and the Netherlands have seen significantly more reports of data breaches during a recent period, with 77,747 and 66,527 breaches respectively. The UK followed closely behind with 30,536 breaches.

France’s Cybersecurity Shortcomings

France has issued over €290 million in GDPR fines so far, with Google accounting for over half of these at €150 million. However, despite these significant penalties, French companies are still falling short when it comes to cybersecurity.

  • Only 32.3% of French companies use cloud-based security solutions, which is significantly lower than the global average of 41.1%.
  • A staggering 39% of French companies do not have standalone cyber insurance, leaving them vulnerable to potential attacks.
  • French people reuse an average of 14 passwords, which is higher than the global average of 11-15 passwords.

Phishing and Ransomware: The Prevalence of Cyber Threats

The report also highlights the prevalence of phishing emails in ransomware attacks, with 66% of incidents starting with a phishing email. Additionally, French companies are not adequately prepared to respond to cyber attacks, with many lacking incident response plans.

Recent Cyber Attacks in France

In recent months, France has seen several high-profile cyber attacks, including a ransomware attack on a hospital that demanded $10 million to unblock its systems. The country also saw an 84% increase in cybersecurity incidents in 2021.

Promoting Online Safety: A Positive Step Forward

While some progress has been made in promoting online safety among parents, with 33% of French parents using parental control software, there is still much work to be done to improve France’s cybersecurity landscape.

“The situation in France is not yet alarming, but it’s clear that more needs to be done to protect companies and individuals from cyber threats,” said a cybersecurity expert. “The lack of basic security measures is leaving France vulnerable to attacks, and it’s only a matter of time before something serious happens.”

Related Stories:

  • French Companies Lacking in Cybersecurity Measures
  • GDPR Fines Reach €290 Million in France
  • Cloud-Based Security Solutions Lagging Behind in France