Paris Olympics 2024: Securing The Games

The Rising Cyber Threats

In recent years, the threat of cyberattacks has grown exponentially, affecting the sports sector as well. Major international events like the Olympics are prime targets for cybercriminals, hacktivists, and even nation-states. The reasons are clear: these events attract global attention, involve significant financial transactions, and rely on complex digital infrastructures. Moreover,  France’s involvement in its geopolitical support for Ukraine and Palestine’s sovereignty has heightened tensions, making the event a potential target for politically motivated attacks. President Macron has expressed concerns about Russia’s potential to target the Olympics, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance.

Historical precedents, such as the 2018 Olympic Destroyer attack, highlight the high likelihood of state-sponsored cyber espionage. The 2018 Olympic Destroyer attack targeted the Winter Olympics’ IT infrastructure in Pyeongchang, deploying sophisticated wiper malware that caused significant disruptions during the opening ceremony. The attack was notable for its use of false flags to obscure its origins, ultimately attributed to the Russian cyber espionage group Sandworm.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics also experienced a surge in cyber threats, including phishing campaigns, ransomware attempts, and sophisticated efforts to breach critical systems. The purpose of these attacks is multifaceted, often aimed at disrupting critical systems, undermining public confidence, and causing chaos.

What we know for certain is that these attacks emphasized the persistent threat of attackers aiming to steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, and create a sense of insecurity. 

Ongoing Threats Surrounding Paris 2024 Olympics

Although the 2024 Olympics are still a month away, threat actors are ramping up their preparation, and scammers are actively engaging in social engineering activities to exploit the event. Cybercriminals are employing phishing emails and malware-laden messages to trick individuals into divulging personal and financial data.

• Disinformation Campaigns: Russian threat actors have geared up and created AI-driven cyber bot armies to spread disinformation and create confusion around the Paris Olympics.
• Ticketing Scams: Scammers have created fraudulent Olympic ticketing websites, emphasizing the importance of vigilance among spectators to avoid falling victim to such schemes. The only secure source for tickets is the official ticketing website.

Recent reports indicate heightened security concerns for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with significant threats including potential terror attacks, disruptions in response to the ongoing Gaza conflict, supply chain attacks, and specific warnings from ISIS about targeting the Eiffel Tower with drones. French authorities are intensifying security measures, focusing on both physical and cyber threats, and coordinating with international agencies to ensure the safety of athletes, spectators, and the public. The ongoing issue of antisemitism, highlighted by a recent attack on Jewish minors in a Paris suburb, adds to the broader security challenges facing the upcoming Games.

Historical Perspective: Cyber Games & Olympics

The history of the Olympic Games reveals a landscape marked by cyber incidents. From DDoS attacks disrupting online services during Beijing 2008 to the infamous “Olympic Destroyer” malware affecting PyeongChang 2018, each event has faced its share of digital challenges.

Cyber Attack Evolution Timeline on the Olympics

Historical attacks underscore the ongoing success of adversaries who majorly leverage basic techniques and relatively unsophisticated tools to achieve their objectives. Despite advancements in cybersecurity, these methods have proven effective, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and adaptation in defending against cyber threats.

Anticipated Cyber Threats for the 2024 Olympics

1. State-Sponsored Cyber Attacks: The 2024 Paris Olympics face a significant cybersecurity threat, particularly from state-sponsored actors like Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. These groups have a history of deploying advanced malware, phishing scams, and disruptive DDoS attacks, along with potentially using disinformation campaigns. Russia, with its past Olympic targeting and current geopolitical tensions, is considered a high threat and may launch disruptive attacks. Furthermore, cybercriminal groups like Storm 1679 and Doppelganger (aka Storm-1099) also pose risks to the event’s cybersecurity. 
2. Data Breaches and Leaks: Sensitive information, including personal data of athletes, officials, attendees, fan engagement channels, streaming services, and broadcasting networks, is a prime target for hackers. Protecting this data from breaches is essential to maintain privacy and trust.
3. Phishing Attacks: Phishing schemes could target individuals associated with the Olympics, including athletes, sponsors, and even spectators. These attacks often aim to steal credentials, install malicious software, steal personal data, or deceive victims into fraudulent payments. 
4. DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks could cripple online services by overwhelming them with traffic, disrupting everything from live broadcasts to official websites.

Ransomware Attacks: Ransomware, which locks users out of their systems until a ransom is paid, could disrupt the smooth running of the Games. Critical systems, from ticketing to communications, could be affected.

Key Focus Areas

The cybersecurity preparations for Paris 2024 cover several critical areas:

• Data Privacy and Protection: Ensuring data privacy and protecting personal and operational data from cyber threats is paramount. Past incidents, such as disruptions during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, underscore the importance of robust defenses to prevent unauthorized access and breaches.

• Infrastructure Security: Securing venues, transportation networks, and communication systems against cyber-attacks is essential. Lessons from past events, like the Rio 2016 Olympics, emphasize the need for strong security measures to maintain event integrity and participant safety.

• Payment Systems: Ensuring the security of digital transactions for ticketing and services is crucial. Previous incidents, such as attempted breaches during the London 2012 Olympics, highlight the importance of secure payment gateways and fraud prevention measures.

Paris 2024: A Proactive Approach to Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity has emerged as a top priority for organizers, with the Paris 2024 council collaborating closely with the French Defense and military, alongside the National Cyber Agency, to implement leading cybersecurity practices. Eviden and Cisco are supporting cyber security initiatives and have been engaged as official Cyber Security Partners. They are conducting Ethical Hacking programs to detect flaws early, and are implementing AI-driven capabilities for threat detection and mitigation. Their comprehensive security framework includes rigorous incident response tests and regular business continuity drills to ensure smooth operational continuity. Organizations are further encouraged to adopt below additional measures to mitigate the risk of cyber threats linked to the Paris Olympics.

1. Continuous Threat Exposure Management: Building a Continuous Threat Exposure Management capability which includes exposure assessment, exposure validation and Simulation of real life threats to measure robustness and response capabilities of deployed systems.
2. Comprehensive Training and Awareness: Ensuring that all personnel, from top executives to volunteers, undergo thorough training in cybersecurity best practices through regular drills and simulations. Public awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate attendees and participants about phishing scams, secure digital practices, and recognizing suspicious activities. This proactive approach will help reduce the risk of successful cyber-attacks.
3. Robust Incident Response Plan: Organizations should establish dedicated incident response teams comprising experts from various fields. These teams should be prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any cybersecurity incidents. Clear crisis communication strategies must be established to manage cyber-attacks, ensuring transparency and minimizing disruption during such events.
4. Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Organizations should implement robust measures to protect critical infrastructure supporting the event. This includes secure networks with advanced encryption protocols, hardened physical security for data centers and server rooms, and redundant systems to ensure continuous operation even in the face of cyber threats. 

Last Takeaways

The Paris Olympics 2024 represents a significant opportunity to showcase not only athletic excellence but also cutting-edge cybersecurity practices. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the measures taken to protect this global event will set new standards for future international gatherings. By prioritizing cybersecurity, the Paris 2024 organizers are not just safeguarding the event but also contributing to a safer digital world.

In the end, the success of the Paris Olympics 2024 will be measured not only by the records broken and the medals won but also by the resilience of its cybersecurity defenses. This proactive approach ensures that the focus remains on the athletes and the spirit of the games, rather than on the shadows of cyber threats.