Cyber Incident Victim: Vienne
Date:
Jan 2021
Location:
France
Summary
A computer attack disrupted services in the Vienne department, causing widespread IT and telecommunication failures. All computer systems were rendered inoperable, with restoration expected days later, while telephone networks faced severe disruptions requiring calls to be rerouted to employees' mobile devices. The departmental council president confirmed immediate containment efforts, including isolating IT infrastructure and engaging external experts to resolve the incident. Operational continuity measures were implemented as technical teams worked to restore normal functions.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 1 motive | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On January 21, 2021, the departmental services of Vienne, France, experienced a disruptive computer hacking incident that forced an immediate shutdown of all IT systems. The attack rendered all departmental computers inoperable and caused severe disruptions to the telephone network, crippling routine operations. Alain Pichon, president of the Vienne departmental council, confirmed the incident occurred on Thursday and stated experts were actively intervening to address the breach. The IT and digital teams were mobilized to contain the attack, with all systems blocked as a precautionary measure. This containment action left employees without access to workstations, significantly impairing administrative functions across departmental services.
In response to the attack, the department engaged a specialized cybersecurity firm to investigate the breach and restore systems, though full computer functionality was not expected to resume until the following Monday. Telephone services remained partially functional through emergency measures, with all calls redirected to the professional mobile devices of staff members. Pichon emphasized the priority of resolving the technical issues swiftly while maintaining critical communications. The incident caused sustained operational downtime, impacting public service delivery and internal workflows for multiple days. No additional details regarding the attack vector, perpetrator identity, or data compromise were disclosed in the available reporting.