TLDR:

Key points:

• Google and Microsoft warn of high cyber threat risks facing the 2024 Paris Olympics, especially from Russian threat actors.
• Russian threat groups are identified as major threats, while state-sponsored actors from China, Iran, and North Korea pose moderate to low risks.

Google, Microsoft: Russian Threat Actors Pose High Risk to 2024 Paris Olympics – SecurityWeek

Google and Microsoft have issued warnings about the heightened cyber threat risks facing the 2024 Paris Olympics, with a particular emphasis on the dangers posed by Russian threat actors. According to Google Cloud’s Mandiant cybersecurity team, the Olympics could potentially face cyber threats such as espionage, disruption, destruction, and hacktivism, among others. These threats could impact various targets including event organizers, ticketing systems, infrastructure, athletes, and spectators attending the games.

Mandiant assesses with high confidence that Russia represents the most severe threat due to its history of targeting previous Olympic games and its current strained relationship with Europe. In contrast, state-sponsored actors from China, Iran, and North Korea are seen as posing lower risks. The large number of government officials and decision makers attending the event could attract the attention of cyber espionage groups, while actors focused on disruption and destruction may employ tactics like DDoS attacks, malware, and OT attacks to cause reputational damage.

Microsoft has observed Russian threat actors engaging in malign influence campaigns against the International Olympic Committee, the French president, and the Paris Games themselves. These campaigns include spreading misinformation about potential terrorist attacks and violence at the games, using generative AI technology to enhance their activities. Microsoft predicts a further intensification of Russian malign activities as the event approaches.

The article serves as a warning about the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect the upcoming Paris Olympics from cyber threats, especially those originating from Russian threat actors.