Cyberattacks: The State launches massive training to prepare local elected officials

In response to the increasing number of cyberattacks targeting local authorities, the French government is rolling out a new training program for elected officials and municipal staff. Called "CapCyber: Crises & Local Authorities," this free program was launched jointly by the Ministry of the Interior and the Association of Mayors of France to improve municipalities' response to cyberattacks.

The initiative comes as French local authorities have become prime targets for ransomware groups. According to data from the Cyber ​​Threat Analysis and Grouping Center, nearly 300 claimed attacks against local authorities were recorded in 2025, sometimes completely paralyzing local public services for several weeks.

Immersive training to address new threats

The program is based on theoretical modules as well as practical exercises simulating cyberattacks against a town hall or local authority. Participants learn how to manage a crisis team, secure sensitive data, and maintain essential services in the event of a cyberattack.

The training, available free online, is aimed at mayors of small towns as well as large local authorities. The government's stated objective is to spread a genuine cybersecurity culture across the country, given that many elected officials still lack sufficient training in digital risks.

Communities that have become vulnerable

Attacks against municipalities have accelerated sharply in recent years due to the massive digitization of administrative services. Civil registration, tax data, public infrastructure, and local markets now represent strategic targets for hackers.

This increase in risks is prompting the government to more broadly revise its cybersecurity doctrine. The new national strategy, presented in early 2026, now considers cyberattacks as a core government responsibility, comparable to internal security or national defense.