Italy has foiled a series of cyber attacks of Russian origin targeting websites associated with the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, just two days before the competition's opening ceremony. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, according to AFP.
Italy thwarted a series of cyber attacks ahead of the Olympics. PHOTO: Getty Images
“We thwarted a cyber attack targeting several websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the one in Washington, as well as some locations related to the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games, including hotels in the Cortina d'Ampezzo region. These actions are of Russian origin”said Tajani, quoted by the Italian press.
According to an official statement, since January 26, Italian police units specialized in cyber security have been mobilized to protect the main digital platforms related to the sporting event, which will run until February 22. Authorities have stepped up monitoring of networks to prevent cyber attacks and potential threats to public security.
The interventions aim, according to the Italian authorities, at two strategic directions: protecting the critical IT infrastructure and monitoring the online space to maintain public order, but also to prevent possible terrorist initiatives.
The experience of the 2024 Paris Olympics demonstrated the magnitude of the cyber risks associated with such events. At the time, France's National Cyber Security Agency reported 141 cyber security incidents without affecting the running of the competitions.
Russia, a traditional force in winter Olympic sports, will participate in the Milan-Cortina Games with just 13 athletes, who will compete under a neutral flag, as a sanction imposed by the International Olympic Committee after the invasion of Ukraine, shortly after the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
