Paris 2024 Olympics Preparing to Face Challenging and Unforeseen Cybersecurity Threats
The Paris 2024 Olympics is gearing up to confront an array of cybersecurity challenges, anticipating significant pressure on the games this summer. The organizers are bracing for threats from organized crime, activists, and state actors during both the Olympics and Paralympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11 and August 28 to September 8 respectively. Collaborating closely with the French national agency for information security (ANSSI) and cybersecurity firms Cisco and Eviden, Paris 2024 aims to mitigate the impact of potential cyber attacks.
Vincent Strubel, the director general of ANSSI, acknowledged the inevitability of cyber attacks but emphasized the importance of minimizing their effects on the games. With 500 sites, including competition venues and local collectives, thoroughly tested for vulnerabilities, Paris 2024 expresses confidence in its preparedness. Operating from a discreetly located cybersecurity operation center, the organizers believe they are ahead of potential attackers, having conducted extensive preparation work.
To bolster their defenses, Paris 2024 has engaged "ethical hackers" to stress-test their systems and employed artificial intelligence to prioritize threats. Franz Regul, managing director for IT at Paris 2024, highlighted the role of AI in distinguishing between minor disruptions and critical incidents. Anticipating a surge in cybersecurity events compared to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Eric Greffier, head of partnerships at CISCO, emphasized the rapid evolution of cybersecurity threats over four years.
The specter of past incidents, such as the 2018 "Olympic Destroyer" computer virus attack during the Pyeongchang Winter Games, looms large. While the involvement of Russian actors was denied by Moscow, the U.S. Justice Department later indicted six Russian intelligence agency hackers for a series of cyber attacks, including those on the Pyeongchang Games. Amidst geopolitical tensions, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concerns about Russia targeting the Paris Olympics maliciously.
The Games are set against a backdrop of complex global dynamics, including Russia's conflict in Ukraine and Israel's confrontation with Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by various countries. Despite the anticipation of cyber threats, the organizers refrain from naming specific potential attackers, emphasizing the role of the state in addressing such concerns.