Tensions rise between France and Russia as ANSSI prepares for foreign state cyber attacks at Paris OlympicsFrench cybersecurity agency bracing for cyber attacks at Paris Olympics, says director general Strubel. Credit: techxplore.com

According to the director general of the French Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI), Vincent Strubel, France's national cybersecurity agency is preparing for potential attacks during the Paris Olympics this year. Strubel stated that these attacks could come from foreign states who are displeased with the event and may attempt to disrupt the opening ceremony or cause issues with public transportation.

The warning from Strubel comes amid strained relations between France and Russia over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Tensions were further heightened when French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that Western troops could be sent to Ukraine, which angered Moscow. The French authorities have also been accused of past disinformation and hacking campaigns.

Strubel emphasized that the Olympic Games are a likely target for cyber attacks and that ANSSI is prepared for various types of attacks, including those from foreign states, cyber-criminals seeking financial gain, and "hacktivists" looking to cause trouble for fun or publicity. He also noted that ANSSI is monitoring the systems of Atos, France's leading IT services and cyber-security company, which is a crucial provider for the Paris Games.

The Paris Olympics have also faced controversy, with Russian athletes being barred from the opening ceremony and largely excluded from the event due to accusations of doping. Russia has accused the International Olympic Committee of "racism and neo-Nazism" for these actions. Strubel stated that state-backed cyber attacks, like the ones seen during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, are a major concern for the Paris Games.

In addition to these state-backed attacks, Strubel also mentioned the threat of DDoS attacks, email spoofing, phishing attempts, and fake websites. He warned that a worst-case scenario would be a flood of smaller-scale attacks that could distract from a more serious attack on critical infrastructure. ANSSI, which was created in 2009, is responsible for preventing, detecting, and responding to cyber attacks in France.

Strubel also referenced the 2012 London Olympics, where NTT, the Japanese telecom company responsible for IT security, reported 450 million individual cyber attacks. This number was twice as many as the attacks seen during the 2012 Games. As the Paris Olympics draw nearer, Strubel and ANSSI will continue to monitor and prepare for potential cyber threats.

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Ann Castro carries a total of 7 years experience in the healthcare domain. She owns a Master’s of Medicine Degree. She bagged numerous awards by contributing in the medical field with her ground-breaking notions. Ann has developed her own style of working and known for accuracy in her work. She loves trekking. She visits new places whenever she gets free time.