42 MILLION EUROS. This is not an investment budget; it is the price of a misconfigured VPN.
RED ALERT FOR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES: As we enter 2026, if you still think GDPR is just an administrative “checkbox” exercise, reality has just brutally changed the game. We have officially moved from the era of guidance to zero tolerance.
The numbers are in, and the trend is chilling: a 107% increase in sanctions issued by the CNIL in France, contributing to a total of over €1.15 billion across Europe. (https://www.cnil.fr/fr/thematique/cnil/sanctions) (https://www.digitemis.com/rgpd-2025/)
Why is your 2025 strategy already statistically obsolete? The analysis of recent failures provides us with 3 key lessons:
1) The Illusion of Perimeter Security (The Free Case)
In January 2026, Free Mobile was fined a record €42 million. The reason? ‘Deficient’ security on remote access (VPN).
- The Reality: A password is no longer enough.
- The Gap: The lack of robust Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and active monitoring is now classified as gross negligence. Hackers no longer break down walls; they use the keys you leave lying around. (https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/)
2) The myth of ‘Too Small to Fail’ and the subcontractor trap
Don’t think you are safe just because you are an SME: 42% of cyberattacks target small and medium businesses to use them as a “Trojan Horse” to infiltrate major accounts.
- Legal Precedent: The Mobius case (a Deezer subcontractor), fined €1M at the end of 2025, sets a ruthless precedent.
- The reality: The chain of responsibility is complete. If your service provider has a flaw, it’s YOUR flaw, YOUR fine and YOUR reputation crisis.
3) The ‘Perfect Storm’: The Arrival of the AI Act
The CNIL has officially stepped into its role as an AI regulator.
- The Risk: Integrating AI tools without ironclad governance (uncontrolled ChatGPT use, sensitive data leaked into public models) exposes you to double regulatory sanctions. It is an unprecedented risk multiplier. (https://www.rgpdkit.fr/blog/rgpd-2025-bilan-amendes-cnil-2026)
STOP PAYING TO LEARN.
Compliance and cybersecurity are no longer cost centers to be cut back on budget negotiations. These are intangible assets that protect the value of your business from bankruptcy.
Your immediate battle plan (before the inspection):
- Crash Test Audit: Don’t assume your VPNs and MFAs are working. Hire “Red Teams” to try to break them.
- Outsourcing mapping: Require and audit your suppliers’ security certificates. It’s your right, it’s your duty.
- AI Governance: Stop ‘Shadow AI’ projects. Set up a strict framework today.
- Digital Hygiene: 80% of breaches start with human error. Train your teams continuously.
The final word
The question is no longer whether you are compliant, but whether your cash flow can withstand a fine of 4% of your global turnover next month.
At KP Consulting, don’t wait any longer, contact us today.
