Cyberattacks are rising fast in Morocco as more businesses and public services move online. Orange Maroc says the number of attacks on its networks has tripled since the start of 2026, showing how quickly the threat is growing.
Speaking to 7News Morocco at the 13th SIT cybersecurity event in Marrakech, Orange Maroc ICT Director Nouhade Machkour said hackers are becoming more organised and are increasingly using artificial intelligence to launch attacks.
“Our teams noticed a major jump since the start of 2026. The volume of attacks on the networks we run multiplied by three,” she said.
Machkour said Morocco’s digital growth has brought new opportunities but also made the country a bigger target for cybercriminals.
“Since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and with major upcoming events hosted in Morocco, we noticed a big increase in attacks targeting companies and critical infrastructure.”
She said a cyberattack can now stop factories, interrupt public services, shut down banks or steal sensitive information.
“Cybersecurity is now essential for economic survival, business continuity, and national sovereignty.”
Orange Maroc says it helps businesses and public institutions protect their systems by providing secure networks, data centres, cloud services and cybersecurity solutions. The company also uses the experience it has gained from protecting its own infrastructure and the expertise of Orange Cyberdefense.
Machkour said Orange Maroc regularly deals with four main types of attacks. These include ransomware, which locks company data until a ransom is paid, DDoS attacks that overwhelm online services with traffic, phishing and password theft, and attacks on cloud systems and critical infrastructure.
“The most striking trend is how sophisticated these attacks have become. Cybercriminals now use automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced techniques to be more effective.”
She said Orange Maroc faces cyberattacks every day.
“Our job is to detect, absorb, and stop them to protect our systems and our clients.”
Artificial intelligence is also changing the way companies defend themselves. Machkour said AI can analyse millions of security events in real time, helping teams spot threats much faster.
“It improves detection, speeds up response times, and reduces exposure to threats.”
But she warned that criminals are using the same technology.
“We are in a technology race where innovation is the deciding factor.”
Machkour also said digital sovereignty is becoming more important as organisations want greater control over where their data is stored, who protects it and which laws apply to it.
“Digital sovereignty drives trust and competitiveness.”
She urged business leaders to treat cybersecurity as an investment rather than an expense.
“First, view cybersecurity as a strategic investment instead of a cost. Second, put people at the center of your approach because many attacks exploit human errors. Finally, use a global approach that combines processes, technology, and skills.”
“Cybersecurity is not a product you buy just once, it is a continuous process of improvement, anticipation, and adaptation.”
