Safer Internet Day, observed on 10 February 2026, underscores the evolving challenge of keeping the digital world safe for all. With governments, police units and new technologies stepping up, efforts span from prevention and education to active cybercrime enforcement.
Published on Feb 11,2026 at 10:28 AM | Updated on Feb 25,2026 at 7:32 AM

On Tuesday 10 February, Safer Internet Day brought renewed attention to both the promise and perils of online life. Established as a global campaign promoting safer, more responsible use of digital technologies, it reaches beyond awareness to encourage practical action by families, educators, industry and policymakers. Originally launched in Europe in 2004, the day is now celebrated in close to 190 countries, as universal concern about online safety grows in an increasingly networked society.

This year’s theme once again emphasised the real-world implications of online behaviour and digital tools. While children and young people have frequently been the focus of Safer Internet Day due to their early and extensive exposure to social media and emerging technologies, adults are equally part of the online safety equation. Initiatives encompass not only awareness of harmful content and online abuse but also practical cyber hygiene and improved reporting mechanisms.


The Rising Tide of Cybercrime and Government Responses

The line between everyday online risks and serious crime has blurred as technology becomes ever more integrated into daily life. Cybercrime covers a wide range of offences, including phishing scams designed to steal personal information, hacking that exposes financial records, ransomware that locks files until a payment is made, and identity theft. Such acts can affect individuals, businesses and government agencies alike.

Recent data underlines the scale of the challenge. A growing number of online incidents have been reported worldwide over the past few years, with some studies suggesting that reported cyber incidents more than doubled from around 1.03 million in 2022 to 2.27 million in 2024, with 2025 trends indicating further escalation. Cost estimates also paint a stark picture: one industry forecast projected global economic damage from cybercrime at around $10.5 trillion (around €9.7 trillion) in 2025, a figure larger than the gross domestic product of most nations.

In response, governments are stepping up. Many have adopted or updated national cybersecurity strategies that extend beyond simple protective measures to consider national security and economic stability. Such strategies emphasise collaboration between public institutions and private sector defenders, investment in digital infrastructure resilience, and public education on secure online practices. France, for example, recently published a national cybersecurity strategy articulating the breadth of the threat and outlining coordinated responses across government and law enforcement.


Law Enforcement and Technologies in the Fight Against Cybercrime

Police units and specialised agencies are adapting to meet the complexity of digital threats. France’s modern cybercrime framework offers illustrative examples. The country’s Unité nationale cyber (National Cyber Unit) coordinates digital investigations, tackling offences that range from large-scale data breaches to financial fraud. This unit evolved from earlier structures within the Gendarmerie nationale and reflects a broader institutional response to cybercrime.

Beyond police units, France’s armed forces have also established specialised capabilities. Created on 1 January 2025, The Régiment de cyberdéfense (Cyber Defence Regiment) is a dedicated cyber warfare formation within the French Army, tasked with defensive operations in cyberspace, threat monitoring and supporting broader national security objectives.

Black and white portrait of a man with a blurred face symbolising anonymity and the risks linked to digital identity
Technology plays a pivotal role too. Artificial intelligence tools are now increasingly deployed by both defenders and attackers. While AI presents new risks, such as automated phishing and “deepfake” content designed to deceive users, it also underpins advanced defensive systems that detect and mitigate threats at scale.

Secure design principles and safety features built into platforms help reduce vulnerabilities, and tools that scan for malicious activity have become standard elements of national and corporate cyber defences.

Collaborative international frameworks also complement national action. Treaties like the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, adopted by numerous states in late 2025, aim to enhance cross-border cooperation in prosecuting digital crime and sharing evidence, creating a vital mechanism given the inherently transnational nature of many cyber offences.


From Digital Risks to Tangible Crime: The Crypto Dimension

While traditional cybercrime categories like fraud, identity theft and online harassment dominate much of the public discussion, new hybrid threats are emerging at the intersection of online and physical worlds. One such disturbing trend involves criminals targeting cryptocurrency holders through coercion and violence.

Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin operate on blockchain technology, a distributed digital ledger that records every transaction across a decentralised network. Their use in ransom demands has often been linked to the perception that they are anonymous and beyond the reach of investigators. Yet specialists consistently dispute this. “Crypto works on a blockchain, and the blockchain is a public registry where everything is visible, everything is trackable and everything is auditable,” says Renaud Lifchitz, a French IT senior security consultant. Juan Andrés Guerrero-Saade, vice president for intelligence and security research at SentinelOne, also notes that bitcoin is one of the “most traceable currencies we’ve ever had”.

While wallets may be pseudonymous, blockchain analysis enables law enforcement agencies to follow transaction flows, identify patterns and, in many cases, connect digital wallets to real-world actors. This capability has become an important investigative tool in cases involving ransomware, organised fraud and crypto-linked extortion.
Person in a hoodie in front of multiple screens displaying a world map and computer code in a cyberattack context

Recent incidents in France, including attempted kidnappings, have involved demands for a ransom in crypto assets. Such events place cyber-enabled financial crime alongside traditional criminal activity, demonstrating the way digital vulnerabilities can have very real consequences offline. They also emphasise the need for law enforcement and digital security efforts to evolve in response to hybrid threats that blend cyber elements with more conventional criminal tactics.


Milipol Paris and the Ongoing Quest for Internet Safety

Safer Internet Day 2026 highlights both the potential and the fragility of our connected world. Awareness campaigns, educational initiatives and protective technologies are essential, but they must be supported by robust law enforcement and government strategies to address the full spectrum of digital risks. Events like Milipol Paris, with its focus on homeland security and emerging technologies, provide an important forum for sharing insights and innovations in the digital safety arena. As cyber threats continue to evolve, such collaboration between industry, government and civil society will be critical in shaping a safer and more resilient internet for all.

Image credits:
DC Studio - Freepik
Mihail-Anton Ghiga - Unsplash