What we’ll be watching for during Paris 2024: Cyber attacks

Paris’ cybersecurity teams have consulted with technicians who worked on the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, which saw its opening ceremonies disrupted by an attack Western nations have blamed on Russia’s military intelligence agency. Officials have acknowledged that such technical onslaughts are a given, but hope their “war games” preparations will prevent significant issues.??

Some have also raised concerns that a cyberattack could be accompanied by an act of terror, with an estimated 13 million visitors expected to descend on the Paris metropolitan area. In the wake of a March attack on a Moscow concert hall, France raised its national terrorist alert warning to its highest level, and plans to deploy more than 20,000 private security agents alongside approximately 45,000 military and police forces.?

The games will take place in the backdrop of the escalating war in Ukraine, where Russia has expanded the scale and scope of its offensive operations.?

“With France’s President Macron serving as one of the most verbally steadfast Ukrainian allies, space exists for the Kremlin to engage in provocation or symbolic escalation,” said Factal’s head of European coverage Alex Moore.?

Read our blog on how we can help you prepare for the Summer Games