Monaco kicked off the 24th edition of the Assises de la Sécurité on Tuesday, October 8, a major cybersecurity event gathering 3,300 participants from across the globe. The three-day forum, which brings together key actors in digital security, opened with a speech by Monaco’s Minister of State, Didier Guillaume, emphasising the importance of collective efforts to combat rising cyber threats.

“With the exponential growth of cyberattacks, no nation or sector can defend itself alone,” said Guillaume. The event welcomed 180 partners, including 21 startups and several leading global security firms, reflecting the broad international concern over cybercrime.

The forum comes at a time when ransomware attacks and criminal networks continue to target both public and private sectors, with new cybercriminal groups emerging. Guillaume highlighted Monaco’s efforts to address these challenges, noting the principality’s adherence to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and the approval of a new UN convention on cybercrime in August 2024, which aims to strengthen international cooperation.

Monaco has made cybersecurity a strategic priority, passing legislation in 2016 to protect its critical infrastructure and sensitive data. Last year, the principality aligned its regulations with French and European standards, expanding security measures to more sectors. “These rules have proven effective,” Guillaume stated, while acknowledging the burden on Monaco’s small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up a significant portion of its economy.

To support this transition, Monaco is expanding its “Fonds bleu,” initially launched in 2020 to bolster digital transformation during the economic crisis. The second phase of the initiative will focus on optimizing digital transitions, fostering innovation, and enhancing data security, with a particular focus on health sector data under the “Monaco Health Security Plan.”

Guillaume closed his address by stressing the need for collaboration to build a safer cyberspace, urging attendees to use the event to share ideas and strengthen resilience. “In the face of cyber threats, the key to success lies in collective action,” he said.

Image courtesy of Stéphane Danna – Direction de la Communication: Monaco Minister of State Didier Guillaume