Cyberattaque : une rentrée scolaire sous tension

A major cyberattack has severely disrupted the French education system ahead of the 2026 school year, causing significant delays and operational challenges. Data breaches, including personal information of students, teachers, and agents, have led to widespread system outages and a return to manual processes in many academies. While the ministry assures salary payments and student enrollment, unions express serious concerns about potential class disruptions and the long-term impact on educational operations. The incident highlights the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure within the education system and the need for greater investment in cybersecurity.

Data breaches were discovered during the summer, with the theft of postal addresses and a substantial number of agent contacts. Later in August, hackers claimed to have obtained personal data of teachers and students, with approximately 1.22 million students potentially affected. In response, access to digital infrastructure was temporarily suspended to prevent further damage.

Currently, the situation is particularly tense in Toulouse and Nantes. In Toulouse, messaging and professional applications remain offline, and family access to digital work environments is also suspended. The Rector, Karim Benmiloud, described the situation as “a rather unprecedented start to the school year.” Full restoration could take approximately two weeks, with Pronote remaining operational.

At Nantes, difficulties are particularly evident in messaging and registration procedures. While partial access to emails is possible depending on devices and configurations, the rollout of other tools will be gradual. Unions are expressing greater concern regarding student placements, with some students potentially facing a 15-day delay before receiving their assignment. Similar concerns apply to substitute teachers, as email transmission of mission orders is now blocked.

Several academies, including Toulouse and Montpellier, are working to secure teacher payments and provide support to ensure continued operations. Despite assurances of a smooth return to normal, unions are demanding increased investment in cybersecurity and a reevaluation of data hosting practices, recognizing the vulnerability of the system.