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Cyberattacks on the rise in Morocco, posing a growing threat to individuals and organizations

Morocco is experiencing a surge in cyberattacks, highlighted by recent incidents targeting the National Social Welfare Organizations Fund CNOPS and the Office of Vocational Training and Labor Promotion OFPPT, alongside an increase in fraudulent SMS messages related to traffic violations. These events indicate that cybercrime is becoming an everyday reality for citizens. One victim reported losing over 30,000 dirhams after clicking a fraudulent link disguised as a traffic fine payment, illustrating the sophisticated nature of these scams. Professor Youssef Bentaleb, president of the Moroccan Center for Polytechnic Research and Innovation CMRPI, explains that cybercriminals target data for various purposes, from direct monetization of banking information to identity theft and social engineering using personal and administrative details. He emphasizes that the value of a database lies in the ability to exploit, cross-reference, and analyze information on a large scale, with banking details and professional account access being highly sought after on clandestine markets. Even email addresses and phone numbers retain significant value when exploited broadly. Stolen data circulates on dark web forums and encrypted messaging services, making traceability difficult. Professor Bentaleb notes that cybercrime is increasingly structured and industrialized, with specialized roles for intrusion, data extraction, resale, and exploitation. The emergence of "cybercrime-as-a-service" models an