As Paris gears up to host the 2024 Olympic Games amidst mounting threats and uncertainty, organisers are bracing themselves for a daunting cybersecurity battle.
According to Reuters, Vincent Stroubel, Director General of ANSSI, expressed concerns about potential threats from organised crime, activists, and states during both the Olympic Games (July 26-August 11) and the Paralympics (August 28-September 8).
"We cannot prevent all attacks," stated Stroubel, "but we must limit their impact on the Olympic Games." With 500 sites and venues at stake, including competition venues and local collectives, Paris 2024 faces an unprecedented level of threat.
Stroubel remains confident in Paris 2024's readiness, emphasising their robust preparations and the establishment of a cybersecurity operations centre at a discreet location. The team is employing various measures, including the engagement of "ethical hackers" to test systems and the use of artificial intelligence for threat screening.
Franz Regul, Chief Information Officer at Paris 2024, highlighted the role of AI in distinguishing between minor disturbances and potential disasters. He anticipates a tenfold increase in cybersecurity incidents compared to the previous Olympics in Tokyo.
The looming spectre of cyber threats is not without precedent. The 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games fell victim to a computer virus dubbed "Olympic Destroyer," prompting concerns about future attacks. While Moscow has denied involvement, the U.S. Justice Department indicted six Russian intelligence hackers in connection with a hacking spree that included targeting the Pyeongchang Games.
Against a backdrop of complex geopolitical tensions, including Russia's conflict in Ukraine and the war in Gaza, Paris 2024 navigates uncharted waters, striving to ensure the security and success of the upcoming Olympic Games.
(Source: In.gr)
