France to boost cyberdefense after hospital malware attacks

A file photo of cables plugged into a device by Cyber Test Systems at the Cybersecurity Conference in Lille, northern France. Macron is unveiling a plan to better arm public facilities and private companies against cybercriminals as ransomware attacks struck two hospitals earlier this month, amid an upsurge of similar attacks in the country. — AP

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron on Feb 18 unveiled a plan to better arm public facilities and private companies against cybercriminals following ransomware attacks at two hospitals this month and an upsurge of similar cyber assaults in France.

The attacks at the hospitals in Dax and Villefranche-sur-Saone prompted the transfer of some patients to other facilities as the French health care system is under pressure from the coronavirus pandemic.