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Rabii Wahbi Reveals Cyber Defense Strategy to Secure Digital Transformation in the Justice Sector
Justice Minister Abdelatif Wahbi has unveiled a proactive approach to tackling digital risks and enhancing cybersecurity, emphasizing that cyber threats “are no longer merely potential; they have become real and ongoing.” This necessitates public administrations to adopt preventive policies to safeguard information systems and ensure service continuity.
This statement came in a written response from the Ministry of Justice to a parliamentary inquiry by Idriss Sentissi, head of the Movement Group in the House of Representatives, regarding the approach taken to address digital risks and cybersecurity. The ministry highlighted that “cyberattacks are increasingly targeting major companies and governmental organizations,” asserting that cybersecurity has become “a fundamental pillar for the sustainability of digital transformation and the protection of vital data.”
The ministry noted that its interventions in this area are based on clear legal and regulatory frameworks, including the Information Systems Security Decree and the National Policy for Information Systems Security, in addition to directives issued by the Directorate General for Information Systems Security, which is the national body responsible for coordinating and implementing state policy in cybersecurity.
In this context, the ministry affirmed that it has adopted “a comprehensive and integrated cybersecurity approach, focusing on technical, organizational, and preventive measures” aimed at protecting its information systems and ensuring the continuity of its digital services in “a safe and trustworthy environment.”
The written response revealed that the Ministry of Justice has begun implementing a comprehensive plan to strengthen its information infrastructure, based on “a multi-layered security approach encompassing internal networks, data centers, servers, applications, endpoints, and users.”
Among the key measures is the adoption of a security monitoring and analysis system that enables “real-time collection and analysis of digital logs, detecting any abnormal behavior or potential breach attempts,” with immediate alerts issued to cybersecurity teams for rapid intervention and threat containment.
Additionally, the ministry employed advanced next-generation firewalls capable of deeply analyzing network traffic, early detection of complex attacks and malware, isolating suspicious activities, and preventing their spread.
The response also clarified that the ministry has established a specific system for protecting electronic applications to secure platforms and digital services against common vulnerabilities, especially amid “the increasing expansion of electronic services directed at users and judicial professionals.”
It emphasized that this system represents “an additional layer of protection against attempts to target internet-exposed systems,” supported by mechanisms for continuous monitoring and updates to keep up with the evolving techniques of cyber attacks.
Regarding internal protection, the Ministry of Justice highlighted that it has implemented a strict access rights management policy based on the principle of “least privilege,” which reduces the risks of account misuse or exploitation for unlawful purposes, alongside activating monitoring logs that allow tracking all operations within the information systems.
The ministry also stressed the importance of generalizing encryption techniques, whether during data storage or transmission, adopting secure transfer protocols, encrypting databases and sensitive documents, and implementing electronic signature solutions, ensuring “confidentiality and integrity of data at all processing stages.”
The response stated that the ministry activated a multi-factor authentication system to minimize the risks of account breaches by combining passwords with additional verification tools and biometric features, which “significantly reduced the rate of successful breach attempts.”
Furthermore, the ministry confirmed enhancing its collaboration with the Directorate General for Information Systems Security, particularly through conducting penetration tests before launching new digital platforms, in order to “assess the level of protection and identify security vulnerabilities for resolution before the systems enter the production phase.”
On the organizational front, the Ministry of Justice announced the establishment of a dedicated unit for monitoring and auditing information systems security, appointing an information security officer, and creating a central committee along with decentralized committees to manage information systems security at the appellate courts level.
According to the same response, an action plan has been prepared to implement national directions for information systems security, conducting periodic inspections and audits of the information infrastructure in select courts and services, in addition to executing awareness programs for sector employees “to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity and the risks of digital attacks.”
The Ministry of Justice affirmed that these measures are part of a “comprehensive proactive approach” aimed at protecting digital data, ensuring the continuity of the judicial service, and operating in a secure and trustworthy digital environment.
