Paris Olympics 2024: 140 cyber attacks target key sectors, none disrupt games

The 2024 Paris Olympics encountered a significant number of cybersecurity challenges throughout the event, according to reports. Despite the scale and intensity of these cyber threats, the Olympic Games continued smoothly without any disruption. 

The Summer Olympics at Paris, held from July 26 to Aug 11, faced a significant cybersecurity challenge with a total of 140 reported cyber attacks. Of these incidents, 119 were classified as standard attacks, while 22 involved attempts to steal personal information. 

The attacks primarily targeted government offices, telecommunications companies, and transportation networks. Notably, many of these incidents occurred during periods of server downtime.

In early August, a ransomware attack targeted the site hosting the Paris Olympics along with 40 other music websites. The attack, however, which disrupted operations for affected sites, did not compromise any data related to the Olympic Games.

Ransomware attacks involve breaching a computer system’s security, rendering it unusable, and demanding payment to restore access.

The 2021 Tokyo Olympics held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, encountered numerous cyber attacks, reflecting the heightened risks associated with major global events. Similarly, the London 2012 Olympics faced significant cyber threats. 

In anticipation of potential threats, the French government had prepared for eight to ten more cyber attacks than those experienced during the Tokyo Olympics, highlighting the growing importance of cybersecurity in major international events.

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