The Paris Olympics are an obvious target for hackers

Cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks has published a report analyzing potential cyber threats to the Paris Olympic Games and the risks these threats pose to participants and spectators. It is clear that not everyone involved in the games has good intentions.

According to the report from Palo Alto Networks The largest global sporting event faces significant IT security challenges that affect both participants and remote spectators.

– Major international events such as the Olympic Games are often targets for cybercriminals. They can either try to deceive an enthusiastic audience with fake offers and emails or create attention through disruptions such as denial-of-service attacks. Although the games themselves are a target, it is rather the activities around the event that should be most concerned, says Åsa Edner, Sweden Manager at Palo Alto Networks.

The report indicates that a direct ransomware attack on the Olympics is unlikely. Instead, it is more likely that companies involved in the events, such as streaming services that broadcast the competitions, could be targeted. These indirect attacks could have significant consequences for the companies themselves, participants, spectators and viewers.

The Olympics are a clear target, and the report suggests that pro-Russian hackers in particular may seek to influence the event. Financially motivated cyberattacks are expected, with fake tickets being a classic example of greedy fans being duped. But the report also points out that state-backed actors, particularly pro-Russian hacktivists, are likely to seek to disrupt the Games or exploit the prestige of the event to cause harm.

“Financially motivated attacks pose the biggest threat. Cybercriminals can trick people into buying fake tickets and exploit the Olympic name. At the same time, there is a significant threat from hostile, state-sponsored groups. We have seen an increase in collaboration between hacktivists and state-sponsored Russian groups in the last last two years, which blurs the line between activism and state threats, says Åsa Edner.

It is expected that Russian state-backed groups will attempt to damage the games, while pro-Russian hacktivists, who may lack advanced resources, could use simpler methods such as denial-of-service attacks. These could lead to major delays or even shutdowns of critical functions, such as air traffic to and from Paris, paid services, or the event app and website.

The majority of the expected attacks will primarily affect France, but also Swedish companies and citizens participating in or witnesses the games should be attentive.

– Swedish companies participating in the games must be prepared for increased cybersecurity pressure. It is important to prioritize security throughout the event, carefully monitor networks and services to detect anomalies, and implement secure login with multi-factor authentication where possible. It is also crucial to train staff to prevent them from falling for fake emails, concludes Åsa Edner.