The upcoming Paris Olympic Games are expected to be targeted by cyber attackers, with particular concern surrounding potential threats from Russia. Cyber security defenders have been preparing for potential attacks by studying the tactics and weaknesses of hackers, ranging from teenage show-offs to Russian military hackers. The cybersecurity engineers behind the Games aim to avoid the spotlight, with the goal of successfully navigating the Olympics and Paralympics without a major incident. The sensitive nature of detecting, analyzing, and responding to cyber threats has led event organizers to keep the location of the cybersecurity hub secret.
While the specifics of the cyber defense strategies are kept confidential, it is anticipated that malicious hackers will pose significant challenges during the Paris Games. Potential targets go beyond the Games themselves to include essential infrastructure like transport networks and supply chains. Distinguishing between hacktivists and state-sponsored cyber operators is often difficult, leading to concerns about offending countries using offensive hacking tactics to embarrass and disrupt France and the International Olympic Committee. Amid geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Russia has been identified as a significant cyber threat, leading to restrictions on Russian participation in team events at the Paris Games.
Vincent Strubel, head of France’s national cybersecurity agency, has highlighted the unprecedented level of cyber threats facing the Olympics. He anticipates cyber attacks during the Games and Paralympics, with varying levels of severity and potential impact on the events. Despite recurrent cyber attacks from Russia, Strubel emphasizes the importance of preparedness for all potential threats rather than focusing on a single actor. Notably, the aggressive Russian military intelligence unit, Sandworm, has been linked to disruptive cyber incidents such as the 2018 Winter Games opening ceremony in Pyeongchang and the NotPetya virus, which caused significant financial damage globally.
In an effort to learn from past cyber incidents, Paris’ cybersecurity teams have consulted with technicians who were involved in the response to cyber attacks during the Pyeongchang Games. The training and preparation for cyber defense measures have been intensified in anticipation of the cyber threats facing the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. While the goal is to avoid major incidents during the Games, cybersecurity defenders acknowledge the likelihood of cyber attacks and the need to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding the integrity and security of the sporting event. As the event approaches, the focus remains on maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture to protect critical systems and infrastructure from potential cyber threats.
