Don't repeat the 'Louvre' mistake: Secure privileged access with Segura

In 1986, long before the modern internet, a French teenager named "Roger" used his Minitel terminal to guess a password to a computer network. The password was Louvre. This simple guessed password gave him access to the Thomson-CSF research laboratory and, eventually, to data from a nuclear research center.

This story, highlighted by experts from Segura, is not just an interesting historical fact. It is a fundamental lesson in security that many companies have not yet learned.

It's not about the hack, it's about identification

The "Louvre" incident was not a complex technical hack. It was a failure of the identification and access control system. The system trusted anyone who knew the right word. As soon as "Roger" logged in, he received privileges that allowed him to move further across the network.

Almost 40 years have passed, and "password123" and "admin" are the modern equivalents of "Louvre".

Today's IT infrastructure is much more complex, but the core problem remains. Many organizations still rely on the outdated "castle-and-moat" model: strong perimeter defense, but almost complete trust for those already inside.

Why the old model no longer works

In today's world of cloud services, remote work, and complex supply chains, the concept of a "perimeter" has practically disappeared. Credentials and privileged access have become the main target for attacks.

• Weak passwords: Remain the simplest attack vector.
• Excessive privileges: Users and services often have far more access rights than they actually need for their work.
• Uncontrolled access: Lack of monitoring and management of privileged user sessions creates blind spots for security teams.

This is why Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions have become critically important. They focus not on keeping people "out," but on strictly controlling what they can do once they get "in."

Segura: A modern answer to an old problem

Solutions from Segura offer a comprehensive approach to PAM, helping organizations take control of their privileged accounts and prevent "Louvre"-like incidents on a modern scale.

The Softprom company is an official distributor of Segura. We help companies implement robust access management strategies, protecting their most valuable assets.