Seven free tools and public resources have been recommended to help businesses improve their cybersecurity following a rise in cyberattacks affecting companies and administrations in France. According to a Surfshark study, 43.4 million accounts have been compromised in France since January. The Direction générale des finances publiques (DGFiP), SFR, the National Education, and the Intermarché brand have all acknowledged data leaks.
MonAideCyber, a digital service designed by the innovation laboratory of the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI), allows companies, local authorities, and associations to connect with a "cyber helper" for a preliminary assessment. This evaluation, which lasts between one hour and one and a half hours, covers topics such as security governance, access management, and the protection of workstations. After the assessment, six prioritized recommendations are provided for implementation over the next six months, such as enabling two-factor authentication or setting up a backup policy. The service is accessible via a simple online request but does not provide a detailed written report and therefore does not replace a professional cybersecurity audit.
Bitwarden, an open-source password manager, is recommended as a free alternative to other password managers. Its free version does not limit the number of stored passwords or the number of synchronized devices. The source code is audited annually by several independent security firms, and the publisher publishes a SOC 2 certification.
2FAS is presented as an alternative to Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator for two-factor authentication. It distinguishes itself by its open-source code and the absence of a user account. The application does not store any data and synchronizes on multiple devices, offering an extension for the main browsers.
Proton VPN, edited by Proton AG, a Swiss company founded by former CERN researchers, is a European alternative to American services. Its free version does not cap the volume of data but limits users to one device and five countries of automatically selected servers. Its policy of non-retention of connection logs has been verified by an independent audit conducted by Securitum.
SensCyber, developed by Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, offers a free e-sensitization structured into three modules to help users understand common threats, adopt the right reflexes on a daily basis, and share them with their team. Each module lasts between 25 and 45 minutes and ends with a knowledge test, followed by a follow-up certificate issued for employees.
The MalletteCyber Pro, also developed by Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, provides a ready-to-use support kit for running a sensitization workshop without prior cyber expertise. It includes a teaching booklet, an illustrated poster, a card game based on cooperation, and an infographic for participants. It is distributed under an open license and can be personalized with a company's logo or examples specific to a sector.
17Cyber, launched by the Ministry of the Interior and Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, is a national program to respond to digital incidents. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be accessed by companies or local authorities affected by digital infringements such as account hacks, online fraud, or ransomware. A first assessment identifies the nature of the threat, after which users are directed to dedicated documentation or, if the incident is confirmed, to a chat with a police officer or gendarme for emergency advice and legal procedures. In case of software damage, users can be guided to a labeled technical service provider.
Free Cybersecurity Tools Offered to French Businesses Amid Rising Cyber Threats
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