• Government unveils plan to boost cybersecurity after attacks on public platforms

• Measures include firewalls, training, audits, and a new national innovation center

• Morocco scored 97.5/100 in ITU’s 2024 index but remains vulnerable to advanced threats

Morocco is preparing a set of countermeasures to address a recent surge in cyberattacks targeting public platforms. On Wednesday, June 11, Minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni announced a new national strategy aimed at strengthening the country's cybersecurity defenses.

The plan focuses on securing state information systems through early-stage risk mitigation, system audits, and the implementation of cybersecurity standards from the outset of digital project design. A next-generation firewall is currently being deployed to isolate high-risk zones, while authorities also work to improve digital governance and response coordination during cyber incidents.

Training for public officials is a key part of the strategy. Sessions are being organized in collaboration with the General Directorate for Information Systems Security (DGSSI) to build awareness and technical capacity across institutions.

Earlier this month, a national cybersecurity innovation center was launched in partnership with Mohammed V University. The facility is designed to promote research and development, support startups, and develop future talent in cybersecurity.

The move comes after several recent cyberattacks on Moroccan state agencies, including the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), the National Agency for Land Conservation, Cadastre and Mapping (ANCFCC), and the Ministry of Justice.

Despite these incidents, Morocco was ranked among the top-tier countries in the International Telecommunication Union’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index. The country scored 97.5 out of 100, with strong results in legal, technical, and organizational readiness.

Still, the government recognizes that advanced threats continue to evolve, and the challenge ahead lies in embedding a long-term culture of cybersecurity across all levels of society and state operations.