Cybersecurity definition, threats, and solutions in 2026

Cybersecurity refers to the technologies, processes, and practices designed to protect computer systems, networks, and data from cyberattacks. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) defines it as “the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use.”

Cybersecurity is more than a technical concern. It has become a business priority. In 2025, the French national cybersecurity agency (ANSSI) handled 1,366 confirmed incidents across France alone (source: ANSSI Panorama de la cybermenace 2025, published March 11, 2026). Across Europe, the NIS 2 Directive is rewriting cybersecurity obligations for thousands of organizations. In the United States, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework remains the reference standard.

This guide covers what cybersecurity means in practice, the threats organizations face today, the regulatory rules in Europe and the US, and the steps that work.

What does cybersecurity cover?

Cybersecurity is broader than most people think. It goes beyond antivirus software and firewalls. It covers the entire lifecycle of protecting digital assets, from prevention to detection, response, and recovery.

The CIA triad

Every cybersecurity strategy is built on three pillars:

• Confidentiality: ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive data. This involves encryption, access controls, and multi-factor authentication.
• Integrity: ensuring that data is accurate and has not been tampered with. Digital signatures and version control mechanisms serve this purpose.
• Availability: ensuring that systems and data are accessible when needed. Disaster recovery plans and redundant infrastructure address this requirement.

Cybersecurity vs information security vs IT security

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they cover different scopes. IT security focuses on protecting hardware and infrastructure. Information security (infosec) adds organizational policies, risk management, and compliance. Cybersecurity extends further to include threat actors, attack techniques, geopolitics, and the wider cyber ecosystem.

Cyber threats in 2026

Cyber threats are evolving faster than most organizations can adapt.

Phishing

Phishing remains the most common initial attack vector globally. Attackers impersonate trusted entities via email, SMS, or messaging platforms to trick victims into revealing credentials or clicking malicious links. With generative AI, phishing messages have become more convincing, better personalized, and harder to detect. Spear phishing targets specific individuals using information from LinkedIn and social media. Whaling targets executives.

Ransomware

Ransomware encrypts an organization’s files and demands payment for decryption. In 2025, ANSSI recorded 128 ransomware compromises in France (source: ANSSI Panorama 2025). Small and mid-sized businesses accounted for 48% of victims. Attackers increasingly use double extortion: they encrypt data and threaten to publish stolen files if the ransom is not paid.

Data theft and exfiltration

Data exfiltration incidents rose 51% in France in 2025 compared to the previous year, with 196 cases handled by ANSSI. However, over 60% of claimed data leaks turned out to be bluffs or recycled data, according to ANSSI’s 2025 panorama.

AI-powered attacks

Threat actors are using generative AI to automate phishing campaigns, create deepfake audio for CEO fraud, and accelerate vulnerability discovery. On the defensive side, AI helps security teams detect anomalies and triage alerts faster.

State-sponsored threats

Nation-state actors, primarily linked to Russian and Chinese intelligence services, continue to target diplomatic networks, defense contractors, and critical infrastructure across Europe. ANSSI’s 2025 report highlights the growing blurring of boundaries between state-sponsored groups and financially motivated cybercriminals.

Key figures from ANSSI’s 2025 report

• 3,586 security events handled
• 1,366 confirmed incidents (stable vs 2024, but +64% vs 2022)
• 128 ransomware compromises
• 196 data exfiltration incidents (+51% vs 2024)
• 4 sectors accounted for 76% of incidents: education/research (34%), government/local authorities (24%), healthcare (10%), telecom (9%)

Types of cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is not a single discipline. It covers several specialized domains.

Network security

Protecting network infrastructure through firewalls, intrusion detection systems, network segmentation, and security gateways. The goal is to control traffic flows and isolate critical environments.

Application security

Securing software from design through deployment (DevSecOps), patching vulnerabilities, and performing penetration testing. Software flaws remain a primary attack vector.

Cloud security

As organizations move data and applications to cloud environments, securing these platforms has become a discipline in its own right. In Europe, the ANSSI SecNumCloud qualification certifies cloud providers that meet strict security and data sovereignty requirements.

Endpoint security

Protecting laptops, smartphones, and IoT sensors connected to the network. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions have become the industry standard.

Operational technology (OT) security

Industrial control systems (manufacturing plants, energy grids, water treatment facilities) use specialized protocols and legacy equipment. The convergence of IT and OT networks creates new attack surfaces that require dedicated cybersecurity approaches.

Data security

Encryption, data classification, access rights management, and regulatory compliance (GDPR, CCPA). This is where cybersecurity intersects most directly with privacy.

Cybersecurity regulations in 2026

Cybersecurity regulation has accelerated significantly. Organizations operating in Europe, the US, or both need to navigate multiple overlapping frameworks.

NIS 2 Directive (EU)

The NIS 2 Directive, adopted by the European Union in December 2022, replaces the original NIS Directive from 2016. It dramatically expands the scope of regulated entities. In France alone, approximately 15,000 organizations across 18 sectors will need to comply, up from roughly 500 under NIS 1 (source: ANSSI estimates based on INSEE data).

NIS 2 introduces two categories:

• Essential entities: highly critical sectors (energy, transport, healthcare, drinking water, digital infrastructure)
• Important entities: additional sectors (postal services, waste management, chemical manufacturing, research, local government)

Penalties for non-compliance can reach €10 million or 2% of global annual turnover for essential entities.

As of April 2026, France’s transposition law (the “Loi Résilience”) has been adopted by the Senate and reviewed by the National Assembly’s special commission, with the final parliamentary vote expected in mid-2026. On March 17, 2026, ANSSI published the Référentiel Cyber France (ReCyF), a working document listing recommended security measures aligned with NIS 2 objectives.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (US)

The NIST CSF, maintained by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, is the reference framework for cybersecurity risk management in the United States. Its five core functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) provide a structured approach that many organizations worldwide have adopted, including outside the US.

DORA (EU financial sector)

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), effective since January 17, 2025, targets the financial sector specifically. It requires banks, insurers, asset managers, and their ICT service providers to meet enhanced requirements for digital resilience, ICT risk management, and regular penetration testing.

Cyber Resilience Act (EU)

Adopted in late 2024, the CRA mandates cybersecurity-by-design for manufacturers of digital products (software, connected devices, hardware). It imposes security obligations throughout the product lifecycle, from design to end-of-life.

Data sovereignty and SecNumCloud

For organizations handling sensitive data in Europe, the question of data sovereignty is central. ANSSI’s SecNumCloud qualification ensures that certified cloud providers meet strict security standards and are immune to extraterritorial legislation such as the U.S. Cloud Act. SecNumCloud is increasingly required in public procurement and regulated sectors (defense, healthcare, finance) across France.

Building a cybersecurity strategy

Effective cybersecurity requires a combination of technology, processes, and people. There is no single product that solves everything.

Assess your risks

Start by identifying what you need to protect. Where is your most sensitive data? Which systems are exposed to the internet? A structured risk assessment (ISO 27005, NIST RMF, or EBIOS RM in France) helps prioritize investments.

Deploy layered defenses

Depending on your maturity level, this may include:

• Next-generation firewalls and network segmentation
• EDR solutions on endpoints and servers
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all access points
• Encryption for data at rest and in transit
• Security gateways for exchanges between networks of different sensitivity levels
• Regular backups stored offline

Prepare an incident response plan

When an attack lands (and one will), response speed decides the outcome. An incident response plan should define roles, escalation paths, communication protocols, and recovery procedures. Mature organizations operate a SOC (Security Operations Center) for real-time monitoring. Others rely on managed security service providers.

Test your continuity plans

A business continuity plan (BCP) and disaster recovery plan (DRP) are only valuable if they have been tested. Tabletop exercises and full-scale simulations should be conducted regularly, not written once and forgotten.

Train your people

Human error remains the leading cause of security breaches. Cybersecurity awareness should go beyond annual emails. It requires practical exercises (phishing simulations, crisis drills), role-specific training, and ongoing communication about current threats.

Core practices every employee should follow:

• Use strong, unique passwords stored in a password manager
• Enable multi-factor authentication on every account that supports it
• Never open attachments from unknown or unexpected senders
• Report suspicious emails or behavior to IT immediately
• Keep software and operating systems up to date
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for work-related connections, or use a VPN

ChapsVision cybersecurity solutions

ChapsVision is a European software company specializing in sovereign data processing and cybersecurity. Its CyberGov division brings together over 40 specialized consultants, 80% of whom hold industry certifications. This expertise was strengthened through the acquisition of Risk&Co’s cybersecurity operations, a recognized player in IT and OT security auditing and consulting.

Chaps Cyber

Chaps Cyber covers cybersecurity audit, consulting, and operational support:

• IT and OT security audits
• NIS 2 and DORA compliance support
• Penetration testing and vulnerability assessment
• Outsourced CISO services

The offering is designed for operators of vital importance (OIV), essential service operators, and organizations in regulated sectors (defense, finance, manufacturing, healthcare).

CrossinG, ANSSI-certified security gateway

CrossinG by ChapsVision is a network security gateway that isolates critical networks while enabling controlled data exchanges with open environments. The solution holds ANSSI’s First Level Security Certificate (CSPN). It can:

• Filter and sanitize content exchanged between networks
• Block remote takeover attempts
• Monitor inbound and outbound data flows

CrossinG is part of a security and resilience portfolio that also covers crisis management, physical security, and digital investigation.

FAQ : all about Cybersecurity

01

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and data breaches. It covers prevention, detection, and incident response.

02

What are the three pillars of cybersecurity?

The three pillars are confidentiality (restricting data access to authorized users), integrity (ensuring data is not altered), and availability (keeping systems accessible when needed). Together, they form the CIA triad.

03

What is the difference between cybersecurity and information security?

Information security focuses on protecting data regardless of format. Cybersecurity specifically addresses threats in the digital realm, including the threat actors, attack techniques, and the broader cyber ecosystem. Cybersecurity is a subset of information security in some frameworks, though in practice the two terms overlap significantly.

04

What is the NIS 2 Directive?

NIS 2 is a European Union directive adopted in 2022 that strengthens cybersecurity obligations for organizations across 18 sectors. It replaces the original NIS Directive and expands the scope to approximately 15,000 entities in France alone. Penalties can reach €10 million or 2% of global revenue.

05

What is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

The NIST CSF is a risk management framework developed by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. It provides five core functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) and is widely adopted by organizations worldwide as a baseline for cybersecurity programs.

06

How much does a cyberattack cost?

Costs vary widely depending on the attack type and organization size. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach 2024 report, the global average cost of a data breach reached USD 4.88 million. For small businesses, an incident can threaten survival. Beyond direct costs, organizations face regulatory fines, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust.