The 2024 Paris Olympic Games promise to be a spectacle of athletic talent and global  unity. The Olympics, which will take place from July 26th to August 11th, are expected to sell over 13 million tickets and bring more than 15 million visitors to Paris. However, the excitement masks a potential threat: cybercrime.

 

Game on, but is it secure?

With a massive digital infrastructure, high-profile athletes, and millions of attendees, the Olympic Games are a prime target for hackers. This article explores the unique cybersecurity challenges of this mega-event and equips organisations and individuals with essential strategies to protect themselves from cyberattacks.


Key areas to be explored in this article:
  1. Notable cyberattacks in the Olympic history
    An overview of major cyberattacks that have disrupted the Olympic Games.
  2. Evolving threat landscape
    How espionage, data breaches, and operational disruptions can impact the Olympics.
  3. Cybersecurity beyond the games
    How cyber threats can impact not just the event itself, but also athletes’ training data and personal information.
  4. Staying safe in Paris
    Practical steps athletes, attendees, and organisers can take to minimise cyber risks during the Olympic Games.

 

 

Notable cyberattacks in the Olympic history

Olympic Games have become increasingly digital, so naturally they have become prime targets for cyberattacks. Here are some examples of cyber threats from recent years:

  • London 2012 Summer Olympics
    Incident: Multiple cyberattack attempts
    Details: The London Olympics faced several cyberattacks, including attempts to breach the ticketing system and officials’ accounts. These attacks were stopped, highlighting the need for strong cybersecurity measures. More information here.

  • Rio 2016 Summer Olympics
    Incident: “Fancy Bear” data leaks
    Details: The “Fancy Bear” group leaked medical records and confidential information from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), exposing athletes’ drug tests and medical exemptions. The attack was seen as retaliation for the exposure of Russia’s doping program. More details here.

  • Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics
    Incident: “Olympic Destroyer” malware attack
    Details: During the opening ceremony, the “Olympic Destroyer” malware disrupted internet access, the official website, and Wi-Fi networks, causing inconvenience for attendees. The attack was attributed to Russian hackers. More details here.

  • Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics
    Incident: Pre-Games cyber espionage
    Details: British Intelligence reported that Russian hackers planned cyberattacks to sabotage the games, targeting organisers, logistics, and infrastructure. This was linked to the same group responsible for the 2018 attack. More information here.

 

 

Evolving threat landscape

Looking ahead, what are the real risks at the 2024 Olympics? What types of cyberattacks could emerge, and how could they affect the Olympics?

  • Espionage
    Explained simply, this involves stealing confidential information. Hackers might target the Olympics to steal athlete training data, doping test results, or internal event planning documents. This can be done using phishing emails, spear-phishing, or pretexting to gain access to user credentials or sensitive files. What happened at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics or at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics are good examples of this type of attack.

  • Data breaches
    This refers to unauthorised access to sensitive data. Attackers might try to breach ticketing systems to gain access to credit card details or personal information of attendees. This can be done using SQL injection, by exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorised access to databases, or Zero-Day Exploits, by targeting unpatched software vulnerabilities.

  • Operational disruptions
    These attacks aim to interfere with critical systems. Cybercriminals could disrupt competition results displays, scoreboards, or even critical infrastructure like transportation systems. This can be done using ransomware by encrypting critical systems and demanding ransom for decryption, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) to overload the targeted servers and disrupt services, or Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks by intercepting communication between the targeted systems to manipulate data.

 

Vigilance, robust security measures, and incident response planning are crucial to mitigate these risks during the 2024 Olympics.

 

 

Cybersecurity beyond the games

In the midst of all this, what specific impacts could cyber interference have on athletes and the event as a whole?

 

Impact on athletes:
  • Cyberattacks can compromise training data like workout routines or performance metrics, potentially giving competitors an unfair advantage.
  • Athletes’ personal information like medical records or anti-doping test results could also be at risk, leading to reputational damage or even blackmail attempts.
  • In some cases, hackers might even target performance-enhancing equipment controlled by electronics.

Broader impact on the Olympic Games:
  • Disruptions caused by cyberattacks can lead to logistical problems like delays in competitions, canceled events, or even venue closures.
  • Financial losses could occur due to ticket refunds, damaged equipment, or operational costs associated with responding to attacks.
  • Public safety concerns might arise if critical infrastructure systems are compromised.
  • Cyberattacks could also damage the reputation of the Olympics, raising concerns about security and deterring future participants and attendees.

 

 

Staying safe in Paris

Given the risks and threats presented above, what can athletes, attendees and organisers do to prevent and/or mitigate cyberattacks?

 

Tips for athletes:
  • Password management: use strong, unique passwords for all online accounts and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for additional security.
  • Public Wi-Fi: avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like online banking or accessing personal information. Consider using a VPN for added security.
  • Phishing awareness: be cautious of suspicious e-mails or messages. Don’t click on unknown links or attachments and verify the sender before responding.

Tips for attendees:
  • App downloads: only download official Olympics apps from trusted sources.
  • Public Wi-Fi transactions: avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions like credit card purchases. Consider using mobile data instead.
  • Scams awareness: be aware of potential scams, especially those targeting tourists. Don’t share personal information readily or fall victim to phishing attempts.

Tips for organisers:
  • Robust security measures: implement a robust cybersecurity strategy that includes securing event infrastructure, data encryption, and vulnerability management practices. Services like Audit & Pentesting, as well as Managed SOC, can help improve organisations’ security posture.
  • Awareness training: conduct regular security awareness training for staff and volunteers to educate them on identifying and mitigating cyber threats.
  • International collaboration: partner with international organisations and other Olympics stakeholders to share intelligence on cyber threats and best practices in cybersecurity defence – Alter Solutions’ security incident response service, Alter CERT, operates that way to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.

 

 

Conclusion

As a cybersecurity expert in the field of Endpoint Security, I look at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a unique challenge, since the amount of sensitive data involved makes it a big target for cybercriminals. However, despite the challenges, I do believe that the Paris Olympics present an opportunity to show the progress we’ve made in cybersecurity.

 

The focus shouldn't just be on high-tech defences (though those are crucial!). Cultivating a culture of cybersecurity awareness among everyone involved, from athletes to volunteers, is equally important. By empowering individuals to recognise and report suspicious activity, we can create a human shield that strengthens the technical defences.

 

Successful Olympic Games will prove that working together and using the latest security technology can keep even huge events safe. It would set a great example for how to protect future big events from cyber threats.
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