Radware has issued a critical alert, indicating that hacktivists are preparing to unleash sophisticated DDoS attacks on the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Rising Cyber Threats
Radware’s cyberthreat intelligence team has identified that hacktivists are targeting the digital infrastructure of the upcoming Paris Olympics. The primary targets include high-visibility platforms such as ticketing, streaming, and betting services, aiming to create widespread disruption and advance political motives.
A Look Back at Previous Games
Cyberattacks have plagued previous Olympics, with the 2016 Rio Games experiencing large-scale DDoS attacks peaking at 540 Gbps, powered by IoT botnets. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics faced an unprecedented 450 million attacks. As geopolitical tensions escalate, the Paris 2024 Games could see even more severe disruptions.
Recent Developments
In June 2024, Russian hacktivist groups HackNeT and the Cyber Army of Russia Reborn conducted DDoS attacks on various French websites, including those of the La Rochelle International Film Festival and the Grand Palais. These groups, linked to the Kremlin, described these attacks as “training exercises” for larger disruptions planned during the Olympics.
Strategic Targets
Hacktivists are expected to target several key areas:
- Olympics logistics: Ticketing systems, venue access control, and hotel booking platforms.
- Media streaming: Official Olympics streaming services and major broadcaster platforms.
- Sports betting: Online betting services for Olympic events.
- Financial services: Payment processors involved in Olympics transactions.
- Tourism and hospitality: Airline booking systems, hotel reservation platforms, and travel websites.
- Olympics-specific services: Official mobile apps and volunteer coordination systems.
Impact Potential
Any downtime, even brief, could lead to significant media uproar and operational chaos, risking public safety, diplomatic relations, and the Olympic brand’s integrity. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle Eastern tensions further intensify the situation.
Enhanced Attack Techniques
Hacktivists are now equipped with advanced AI tools, such as CAPTCHA-solving technologies, to enhance the volume and effectiveness of their attacks, making traditional defences less effective.
Proactive Defense Strategies
Radware advises organisations to adopt comprehensive DDoS protection strategies, including:
- Hybrid DDoS protection combining on-premise and cloud solutions.
- Behavioural-based detection for precise anomaly identification.
- Real-time signature creation to counter new threats.
- A well-prepared cybersecurity emergency response team.
- Intelligence gathering on active threat actors.
Additionally, Radware recommends thorough network and application inspections, along with advanced web application security measures, to mitigate risks and protect against evolving threats.
See the full report here: threat intelligence report
