There are numerous individuals globally eagerly anticipating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games set to commence later this month. What lies ahead?
- Countless TV viewers worldwide
- 350,000 hours of TV coverage
- Multitudes of spectators
- 329 competitions
- 32 disciplines
- 19 days of rivalry (handball, football, and rugby starting from July 24)
- 35 arenas
- 10,500 participants
- 20,000 authorized reporters
- More than 600,000 meals served daily at the Athletes’ Village
Nonetheless, beyond athletes and supporters, various entities are gearing up and getting ready. The French national administration, alongside the city of Paris and numerous collaborating bodies globally, have been toiling on the backbone to bolster the 2024 Summer Olympic games, with inaugural ceremonies scheduled for July 26.
CRITICALITY OF CYBER SECURITY
Back in May this year, Reuters affirmed: “Paris 2024 gearing up to face unparalleled cybersecurity challenge”:
“Paris 2024 is bracing itself to confront an extraordinary test in cybersecurity, with planners envisioning considerable pressure on the Games this summer. Criminal organizations, activists, and nations will pose the primary threats during the Olympics from July 26 to Aug. 11 and the Paralympics from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
“Paris 2024, in close collaboration with the French national agency for information security (ANSSI) and cybersecurity firms Cisco and Eviden, are striving to curtail the ramifications of cyber assaults.”
In a similar vein, the World Economic Forum personnel recently shared insights on the Paris Summer Games and opine that experts are raising the alarm about cyber threats:
“In response, the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the official organizing entity of the games, has teamed up with significant technology firms and governmental agencies to mitigate the cyber threats.
“The Games are encountering an unprecedented level of threat,” stated Vincent Strubel, the general director of ANSSI, France’s cybersecurity agency. “Nevertheless, we have undertaken an unprecedented amount of groundwork, so I believe we are ahead of potential assailants.”
On July 4, 2024, Politico covered a story titled, “US offering aid to help counter cyber and disinformation attacks during Paris Olympics”:
“French authorities are apprehensive about cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns primarily associated with Russia that are surfacing before the games.
“The Biden administration is extending support to French authorities to safeguard against potential cyber assaults and disinformation threats during the forthcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris, as there are mounting concerns that Russia aims to meddle. …
“This aid involves sharing intelligence and providing direct cyber support between the U.S. and France, endeavors that have become significantly crucial following malignant interference linked to Russia at previous Olympic Games in the past decade.”
A DIVERSE OUTLOOK ON SECURITY THREATS
Recently, Crisis 24 articulated the top five security concerns:
- “Terrorism — The menace of singular terrorist acts is a notable apprehension. French authorities are concentrating on countermeasures in counterterrorism, with around 20,000 troops deployed for Operation Sentinelle. …
- Cybersecurity is a Primary Focus — Ranging from espionage and disruptive activities to financially induced assaults and misinformation campaigns. …
- Crime and Public Safety — Paris experiences comparatively low crime rates, but a transient rise in petty thievery and opportunistic crimes is foreseen during the Games. …
- Civil Unrest and Demonstrations — Actions by labor unions pose a possible disruption threat, though not guaranteed. …
- Environmental and Health Hazards — Paris has moderate weather conditions, yet potential environmental hazards encompass heatwaves, air quality concerns, and water contamination. …”
IDC provides a thorough evaluation of these perils, with this summary:
“Paris 2024 will witness the most interconnected Games to date, involving, among others, back-of-house systems, financial systems, critical national infrastructure, city infrastructure, sports technology, broadcast technology, and merchandise and ticketing. Although the highest risk is evidently for venues and other assets directly utilized for the Games, the risk extends outward, and seemingly unconnected assets can also be targeted, including critical national infrastructure and numerous French enterprises. Outside France, IDC anticipates a $57 million increase in security services revenue in the rest of Europe in 2024 following the hosting of the Olympic Games in Paris.
“‘Cybercriminals are exploiting global sporting events like the Olympic Games to concoct novel aimed threats to businesses and citizens, acknowledging that their prey is frequently distracted and more amenable to social manipulation,’ as stated by Richard Thurston, research manager, European Security Services at IDC.
“‘We can anticipate an unparalleled level of threats launched during the Paris Olympic Games in support of various financial and political motives, targeting not solely the Olympic Games but also unassociated organizations,’ Thurston continued. ‘Fortunately, numerous entities in France have been accelerating the fortification of their cybersecurity position in anticipation of the Games. Additionally, the Local Organizing Committee is liaising with an array of highly adept cybersecurity firms to alleviate risks to the Games.’”
One more: This video features the interview of Arctic Wolf’s CEO regarding the Paris Olympics 2024 discussing the escalating danger of cyber assaults. He touches upon cyber perils to supply chains, the significance of the global arena, nation-state cyber endeavors, and AI as a weapon and its application in shielding against the anticipated malevolent actors, which encompass rogue states and criminal groups.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Numerous visitors and spectators from the U.S. will also have their sights set on the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, as Los Angeles is poised to host the Summer Olympics in four years.
Undoubtedly, as highlighted by the BBC here, there will be an unparalleled level of readiness, collaboration, and information exchange among corporations and organizations at various levels in Paris over the ensuing months, with cybersecurity forming an increasingly substantial part of that equation.
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