Guarding Gold: Cybersecurity Challenges Ahead of the Paris Olympics

Preparations for the Paris Summer Olympics have been going on for years. And given the expected global audience and international participation, cybersecurity is at the center of the action.

July 14, 2024 •

Millions of people around the world are waiting with anticipation for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to begin later this month. What’s coming?

Billions of television viewers worldwide
350,000 hours of TV broadcast
Millions of spectators
329 events
32 sports
19 days of competition
35 venues
10,500 athletes
20,000 accredited journalists
45,000 volunteers
More than 600,000 meals served at the Athletes’ Village every day

However, more than just the athletes and fans are excited and preparing. The national government in France as well as the city of Paris, along with numerus supporting organizations from around the world, have been working on the infrastructure to support the 2024 Summer Olympic games, with opening ceremonies set for July 26.

CYBER PROTECTIONS ARE KEY

“Paris 2024 is getting ready to face an unprecedented challenge in terms of cybersecurity, with organizers expecting a huge pressure on the Games this summer. Organized crime, activists and states will be the main threats during the July 26-Aug. 11 Olympics and the Aug. 28-Sept. 8 Paralympics.

“Paris 2024, who have been working hand in hand with the French national agency for information security (ANSSI), and cybersecurity companies Cisco and Eviden are looking to limit the impact of cyber attacks.”

“In response, the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the official organizing body of the games, has partnered with major technology companies and government agencies to mitigate the cyber threats.

“The Games are facing an unprecedented level of threat,” said Vincent Strubel, the director general of ANSSI, France’s cybersecurity agency. “But we’ve also done an unprecedented amount of preparation work so I think we’re a step ahead of the attackers.”

“French authorities are concerned about cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns largely linked to Russia spreading ahead of the games.

“The Biden administration is lending a hand to French authorities to defend against potential cyberattacks and disinformation threats to the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris, as concerns mount that Russia is seeking to interfere. …

“The assistance includes intelligence sharing and direct cyber support between the U.S. and France, efforts made increasingly important following malign interference linked to Russia at previous Olympic Games in the past decade.”

A WIDER PERSPECTIVE ON SECURITY THREATS

Also in the past week, Crisis 24 wrote about the top five security considerations:

“Terrorism — The threat of lone-wolf terrorist attacks is a significant concern. French authorities are focusing on counterterrorism measures, with Operation Sentinelle deploying nearly 20,000 troops. …
Cybersecurity is a Major Focus — With threats ranging from espionage and disruptive operations to financially motivated attacks and misinformation campaigns. …
Crime and Public Safety — Crime rates in Paris are relatively low, but a temporary increase in petty theft and opportunistic crimes is expected during the Games. …
Civil Unrest and Demonstrations — Industrial action by labor unions, although not guaranteed, poses a potential disruption risk. …
Environmental and Health Risks — Paris has a temperate climate, but potential environmental risks include heat waves, air quality issues, and water pollution. …”

IDC offers a more extensive look at these threats, with this summary:

“Paris 2024 will be the most connected Games ever, including but not limited to back-of-house systems, financial systems, critical national infrastructure, city infrastructure, sport technology, broadcast technology, and merchandising and ticketing. And while risk is clearly highest for venues and other assets used directly for the Games, it permeates outward and seemingly unrelated assets can come under attack, including critical national infrastructure and many French businesses. Outside of France, IDC expects security services revenue in the rest of Europe will increase by $57 million in 2024 as a result of the hosting of the Olympic Games in Paris.

“‘Cybercriminals are leveraging global sporting events like the Olympic Games to craft new targeted threats to businesses and citizens, knowing that their target is often distracted and more prone to social engineering,’ said Richard Thurston, research manager, European Security Services at IDC.

“‘We can expect to see an unprecedented level of threats launched during the Paris Olympic Games supporting a variety of financial and political motives targeting not only the Olympic Games but also unrelated organizations,’ Thurston continued. ‘Fortunately, many organizations in France have been working to accelerate the strengthening of their cybersecurity posture ahead of the Games. Furthermore, the Local Organizing Committee is working with a range of highly skilled cybersecurity companies to mitigate risk to the Games itself.’”

One more: This video highlights the Arctic Wolf CEO interview on the Paris Olympics 2024 addressing the rising threat of cyber attacks. He covers cyber threats to supply chains, the importance of the global stage, nation-state cyber activity, and AI as an attack vector and being used in defense against expected bad actors, which include rogue states and criminal gangs.

FINAL THOUGHTS

No doubt, as the BBC highlights here, there will be an unprecedented level of preparation, cooperation and information sharing between companies and organizations on many levels in Paris over the next few months, and cybersecurity is a growing part of that mix.

Cybersecurity

Dan Lohrmann

Daniel J. Lohrmann is an internationally recognized cybersecurity leader, technologist, keynote speaker and author.

See More Stories by Dan Lohrmann