The Paris Olympics are getting ready to defend against cyberattacks（网络攻击）, with the threat possibly coming from criminals.
"We are worried about everything from the broadcasters to the sponsors, transport infrastructures（基础设施） and support, and competitions. Any kind of attack is on the table," said John Hultquist, an analyst at Mandiant Consulting, a US cybersecurity consultancy firm.
His concern is reasonable, as cyberattacks are surprisingly common during the Olympic Games. The first cyberattack on the Olympics was in Montreal in 1976. Many events had to be postponed or moved because of the 48-hour electrical disruption. Tokyo Olympics in 2021 reported 450 million cyberattacks—which doubled the number experienced during the 2012 London Olympics.
However, it's important to note that the Paris Olympics will make the first attempt to take heavy advantage of artificial intelligence （AI） in its operation. "AI will have a huge impact on us," a senior French military official stated. "It will allow us to rearrange data faster and extract key events, which will help fight back. " However, he also warned that there are many enemies and the resources may not be enough to deal with all possible attacks.
These attacks could target gyms, local transportation such as trains and subways, Paris' electricity and water systems, phone networks, and media reporting of the Games. The highest risk involves disruption of infrastructures and broadcasts. Furthermore, attacks could extend beyond the Games with the spread of fake videos about the events. Deepfake videos could be used to distract from the reality of particular events. "
Hultquist also warned that competition results could be tampered （篡改） with, highlighting the potential for interference（干扰） with cameras, timekeeping devices, and scoreboards. Talking about the importance of data security, he recommended keeping systems isolated （隔离的） and using paper backups for scores to ensure their security.
