DIGITAL DEFENSE BREAKDOWN - AI HACKS AND SPY RISING

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🤖 Dear internet users and fellow Cyberdefenders,

This is no longer just simple malware or malicious phishing; it's a hybrid invasion, a combination of cybercrime and state espionage, driven by ruthless artificial intelligence. Every click could be a trap, every file opened a door to total digital chaos.

In France, over 80% of organizations have already suffered an AI-related incident in the last 12 months. Dozens of SMEs, those thought to be beyond the reach of major threats, are now prime targets for criminal groups and geopolitical enemies. Their systems are under attack, their data stolen, and their activities paralyzed.

It's against this backdrop that companies like ACI Technology and Dream On Technology are fighting to guarantee the security of small structures, with solutions that, like a digital shield, protect infrastructures against ever more sophisticated attacks.

But the war is not yet won. You'll need more than just antivirus software to stand up to the armies of hackers armed with advanced technologies and AI. You'll need a bold strategy, reliable partners and a lightning-fast defense system.

Stay vigilant: cybersecurity has never been so crucial. The future of your organization depends on the resilience of your defenses against the onslaught of cyberspace.

HIGHLIGHTS

👉 Small Businesses Exposed to Critical Digital Threats🔒

👉 Spying and Cybercrime Combine into Hybrid Threats 🕵️‍♂️

👉 ACI Technology Finally Shields SMBs from Hackers 🛡️

👉 Dream On Technology: 1.3 million euros for a crisis management platform 💸

👉 Neos Networks Provides the Ultimate Response to Cyber Threats 🌐

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🗞️​ Guess what ?

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🤓​ Would you like to know more?

1️⃣​ French SMBs Exposed to Critical Digital Threats

Summary : A study reveals that over 80% of French SMEs suffered an AI-related incident in 2024. This figure highlights a growing vulnerability to cyber attacks. With external attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, the need for immediate IT infrastructure reinforcement is becoming a top priority for businesses.

Details :

• A worrying finding: More than 80% of SMEs were victims of AI-related cybersecurity incidents in 2024. This figure underlines the imminent and growing threat to medium-sized structures.

• Cybercrime on the rise: almost 46% of businesses reported having been attacked in 2024. This observation underlines the growing vulnerability of SMEs, which are often under-protected, to cybercriminals who are increasingly targeting them.

• Organizational flaws: An alarming finding reveals that fewer than 39% of employees truly apprehend the risks associated with AI, despite the growing scale of the threats.

• Shortage of professionals: The lack of qualified cybersecurity personnel is a major problem, cited by 84% of organizations, increasing their vulnerability to cyber risks.

• Necessary solutions: For SMEs, the best defense now lies in a proactive approach, complemented by tailored outsourcing solutions.

What do we need to remember?

The study reveals the fragility of SMEs in the face of sophisticated cyber-attacks, particularly in a context where AI is being used for malicious purposes. Companies must invest in advanced cybersecurity solutions and strengthen their technical staff to defend themselves against these new threats.

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2️⃣ Spying and Cybercrime Combine into Hybrid Threats

Summary : Proofpoint's report reveals increasingly blurred links between cybercrime and state espionage, notably through groups such as TA829, which conduct both extortion and espionage campaigns for geopolitical interests. This convergence complicates the attribution of attacks.

Details :

• A hybrid actor: The TA829 group, initially known for criminal activities, has broadened its scope to include espionage campaigns aligned with Russian interests, making it difficult to distinguish between cybercrime and espionage.

•  Sophisticated techniques: The use of tools such as SingleCamper malware, as well as zero-day exploits, shows the advanced level of the threats.

• Multi-sector attacks: TA829 and similar groups are waging campaigns against various sectors, including critical infrastructures.

• Blurring of boundaries: The report highlights the growing difficulty of attributing these attacks, as the tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) of these groups are increasingly hybrid.

• Implications for attribution: The convergence of cybercrime and espionage considerably complicates attribution and incident response efforts.

What should we bear in mind?

The hybridization of threats between state espionage and cybercrime is forcing companies to rethink their defense strategies. This makes detection and attribution more complex, and demands heightened vigilance in the face of increasingly interconnected threats.

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3️⃣​ ACI Technology Finally Shields SMBs from Hackers

Summary: ACI Technology offers outsourcing solutions tailored to SMEs, thanks to real-time monitoring, proactive security and simplified management of IT infrastructures. Its all-inclusive model guarantees no-surprise security for small and medium-sized businesses.

Details:

• An approach tailored to SMEs: ACI Technology stands out for its outsourcing solutions tailored to SMEs, with personalized support and fixed monthly rates.

• Recognized expertise: Founded by Cyrille Jeunehomme, a former director of companies specializing in networks and IT, ACI Technology provides a team specialized in cybersecurity.

• Guaranteed business continuity: The company guarantees constant supervision, proactive maintenance and incident handling within strict contractual deadlines (H+4 for servers).

• Compliance and security: ACI relies on ISO standards for information security and service management, ensuring the reliability of the solutions implemented.

• Tailored support: ACI offers complete information system management, including migration to the cloud and securing multi-site networks.

What should I bear in mind?

SMEs need to turn to service providers like ACI Technology to effectively secure their infrastructures. Outsourcing is becoming a strategic lever for protecting against threats, without having to internalize complex and costly resources.

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4️⃣​ Dream On Technology raises €1.3M for Crisis Management Platform

Summary : Dream On Technology has raised 1.3 million euros to develop its PanicSafe solution, a SaaS AI platform dedicated to cybersecurity crisis management. This Lyon-based start-up targets SMEs and large accounts, with the ambition of expanding its network in Europe and North America.

Details:

• An innovative solution: PanicSafe uses artificial intelligence to anticipate and manage cybersecurity crises. This enables companies to react quickly to threats.

• Fundraising: The start-up has raised 1.3 million euros to accelerate its development, with investments from HUB612, CCI Capital Croissance and Ignitera Capital.

• International expansion: Dream On Technology plans to double its workforce and expand into Europe and North America, where it has already opened a subsidiary in Miami.

• Strategic partnerships: The company is working with partners such as Hermitage Solutions and Syxsperiane to expand its distribution network.

• A response to business needs: With cyber-attacks on the increase, PanicSafe is positioning itself as a key solution for organizations seeking to react quickly to digital crises.

What should we remember?

Dream On Technology's fund-raising is a major milestone in the development of PanicSafe, an innovative cybersecurity crisis management solution that could transform the way companies respond to cyberattacks.

5️⃣ DDoS mitigation from Neos Networks: a response to massive attacks

Summary : Neos Networks launches a DDoS mitigation solution integrated into its dedicated Internet access service. It enables companies to protect themselves in real time against DDoS attacks, without the need for additional infrastructure.

Details:

• Real-time protection: The DDoS uses advanced behavioral analysis mitigation service to detect and neutralize attacks before they affect business operations.

• Hardware-free solution: No additional hardware is required, as the solution is directly integrated into the Neos Networks infrastructure.

• Flexible model: Customers can choose from several levels of protection, such as continuous monitoring or automatic real-time protection.

• Easy activation: The service can be activated in real time, without disrupting existing services.

• Enhanced security for businesses: This service is particularly suited to sectors requiring reliable connectivity, such as the public, emergency services or financial institutions.

What's important ?

Neos Networks offers an integrated, affordable DDoS mitigation solution. This solution meets the requirements of businesses looking to protect their online services against volumetric attacks and minimize downtime.

CYBERTRIVIA - DID YOU KNOW? 🤔

The AI attack - the intrusion of machine-generated malware

In 2021, a team of cybersecurity researchers conducted a revealing experiment: using artificial intelligence to generate malware variants. By rewriting existing malicious scripts, they created over 10,000 unique versions. Surprisingly, these new iterations escaped detection 88% of the time by conventional security tools. This study demonstrates not only the effectiveness of AI in creating sophisticated threats, but also its worrying potential: in the wrong hands, it could redefine the rules of the game when it comes to cybersecurity. The research was conducted by Palo Alto Networks, the results of which were published in The Hacker News in December 2024.

SURVEY 📊

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