By Tyler Young, CISO at BigID
The countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is on and defending the Olympic stage against cyber threats is crucial.
Cyberattacks targeting the Olympic Games are not new, but their frequency and sophistication have increased over the years. For example, the 2018 Winter Olympics in
This disruption prevented attendees from printing reserved tickets and attending the ceremony. Since 2018, these attacks have only intensified. In fact, according to
Today, a solid plan is therefore needed to ensure security against the intersecting threats of advanced AI and increased cybersecurity risks.
Anticipating an increase in attacks and disinformation campaigns at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
The cybercrime economy continues to grow, with the country considered the world’s third-largest economy, behind the United States and China. Additionally, major events like the Olympics have historically been prime targets for cybersecurity attacks due to their large audiences, complex infrastructure, and data-rich environment.
Ransomware gangs are expected to continue targeting organizations using crude tactics (such as phishing and unpatched systems).
Franz Regul, CISO of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, recently said he expects this year’s Summer Games in Paris to have
Since February of this year,
In addition, Russian propagandists have created a disinformation campaign with
Adopting AI to improve performance, fairness and safety
Artificial intelligence has made it easier for those with limited hacking skills to carry out cyberattacks, but industry experts know that AI can also be a valuable tool in defending against these attacks. The International Olympic Committee should take a cue from businesses and leverage AI to protect against cyberthreats.
According to “
If Olympic committees are to turn to AI, it is essential that they maintain control over the type of data on which these AI systems are trained. As the old adage goes, “you can’t protect what you don’t know.” AI comes with its own set of risks and concerns, including the exposure of sensitive data.
When language models are trained using data containing sensitive or regulated information, it can lead to unauthorized exposure, access, and breaches. It is essential to have strong data governance and controls in place to prevent such incidents.
Strengthening cybersecurity measures ahead of the Games
The Olympic Committee must comply with industry standards to maintain a strong data security posture. Proactively detecting and addressing data security vulnerabilities is essential.
BigIDs
Deploying advanced cybersecurity measures in any organization, let alone the Olympic Games, requires a delicate balance. It is imperative that the Olympic Committee and host countries operate efficiently without any disruption. To do this effectively, they must embrace security by default principles and be innovative in their solutions.
It is extremely important to consider existing business processes and integrate security technologies around them. Secure by Default takes into account critical processes, systems and solutions and integrates security measures natively into operations.
Another critical component of this evolving strategy is employee training and awareness. The human element often plays a significant role in data security. By ensuring that all employees, especially those who interact with AI systems, are well-versed in data management best practices and aware of potential risks, companies can create an additional layer of defense against data breaches.
Training programs should be regularly updated to reflect new developments in AI technology and emerging security threats.
Finally, security leaders can leverage threat intelligence data, regardless of industry, to gain a deep understanding of upcoming geopolitics and cybersecurity discussions and how they may impact them.
Cybercriminals and nation-state attackers start acting by setting up infrastructure, registering domains, and implementing government plans such as five-year plans before launching an attack. All of this can be correlated and detected by leveraging the right amount of threat research and data.
Ensuring integrity and security at the Olympic Games through robust cybersecurity
By prioritizing these measures, the Olympic Committee wants to ensure a safe and forward-thinking Olympic experience. Given the growing influence of AI, the Olympic Committee will likely devote equal or greater resources to the 2024 Games to preventing attacks and strengthening cybersecurity measures. But it is necessary.
This commitment not only maintains the integrity of the Games, but also protects participants, spectators and global stakeholders from potential cyber threats, creating a safe and innovative environment for all.
While security leaders’ list of priorities for keeping their organizations secure varies from organization to organization, fostering open dialogue, innovation, and policy development is critical. By embracing AI while staying informed and implementing robust security practices, security professionals can harness its power and protect against emerging threats.
