The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a symbol of international unity and competition, are also becoming a coliseum for cyber threats. With an expected influx of 15 million spectators and an estimated €11 billion in economic activity, the games are a prime target for cybercriminals, as Brian Pinnock, Vice President of Sales Engineering at Mimecast, has highlighted.
Experts and law enforcement agencies are sounding the alarm, warning of a potential surge in cyberattacks during the event. The World Economic Forum has echoed Pinnock’s concerns, highlighting the games’ vulnerability to cyber threats. The Olympic Games Organising Committee (Cojo) predicts a tenfold increase in cyberattacks compared to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Pinnock also draws attention to the impact of cyber threats on previous Olympic Games, such as the “Olympic Destroyer” attack during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, which disrupted the opening ceremony and targeted various IT systems.
The threats are multifaceted, ranging from fake ticket sales and counterfeit merchandise to sophisticated phishing attacks and potential disruption of critical infrastructure. The French Ministry of the Interior has already shut down over 40 fraudulent websites offering fake tickets, and experts warn of the growing threat of “squishing,” a phishing technique using QR codes.
Pinnock emphasises that the human factor remains a critical vulnerability in cybersecurity. With thousands of temporary staff working at the Olympics, awareness and training in cybersecurity practices are essential. As a cybersecurity expert, he stresses the importance of a collective approach, where everyone involved in the games understands their role in protecting sensitive information.
The consequences of successful cyberattacks could be disastrous, including disruptions to live broadcasts, timing systems, and athlete safety, which could undermine the integrity of the games. Financial losses due to equipment damage and recovery efforts could be significant. A successful attack could also tarnish France’s reputation and have long-term repercussions on its international relations.
To mitigate these risks, comprehensive measures are being implemented, including public awareness campaigns, cybersecurity training for staff, simulations of potential attack scenarios, and the use of cloud-based solutions to enhance security. Robust email security measures are also being deployed to detect and prevent fraud, identity theft, and data breaches.
