Morocco tackles rising cyber threats

As Morocco continues to digitise, the country is facing increasing threats, amplified by the use of artificial intelligence (AI), which enables attackers to automate their attacks using various algorithms. According to several IT experts, there has been a significant increase in DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks in recent years. These attacks aim to disrupt the normal functioning of targeted servers by flooding them with illegitimate requests that cause crashes, putting several essential services at risk. One such attack recently hit a Moroccan water distribution plant in Fes, where Algerian hackers breached the network and security systems. The motivation behind these attacks, whether financial or political, must be understood in the context of the geopolitical tensions that are prevalent in the region. Neighboring countries, particularly Algeria, have been identified as the probable origin of these attacks, driven by escalating tensions. Financial motives are sometimes a factor, as in the case of ransomware that blocks users from accessing their devices by demanding a ransom, or companies in industries such as hospitality, accounting, e-commerce, and pharmaceuticals threatening to sell or disclose sensitive customer data online if they refuse to pay the ransom. There has been a notable surge in such incidents since October 2023, with a 300% increase, leading to a report by the cybersecurity solutions provider Check Point identifying Morocco as the 33rd most vulnerable country to malware attacks globally.