Cybersecurity Threats at the Paris Olympics: Preparing for State-Sponsored Attacks

Officials preparing for the Paris Olympic Games are bracing for potential cyber threats, including those from state-sponsored actors, amid concerns of attacks similar to past incidents. The 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang suffered a major cyber assault by a group linked to Russia’s GRU, causing significant disruptions. This event, known as “Olympic Destroyer,” led to the shutdown of the Games’ website, interference with news drones, and ticketing issues that barred spectators from events. Additionally, the UK government has revealed plans for Russian-backed cyber attacks targeting the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were thwarted due to the Games’ postponement.
Countries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, known for their advanced cyber capabilities, pose a significant threat to the integrity of global sporting events such as the Olympics. These actors could potentially target internet networks, digital ticketing, and timing systems, aiming to cause disruptions. The exclusion of Russia from competing as a nation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, allowing only individual neutral athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate, might escalate the risk of cyber retaliation. Historically, state-sponsored cyber operations have sought to discredit nations, disrupt events, and leak sensitive information, underlining the critical challenge faced by Paris Olympic officials in securing the event against such threats.