Italy averted Russian-linked cyberattacks targeting Winter Olympics websites, foreign minister says

Italy thwarts Russian cyberattacks targeting Winter Olympics venues and diplomatic offices, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani revealed Wednesday during his visit to Washington. The sophisticated attacks targeted Italian foreign ministry offices, including the embassy in the U.S. capital, along with Winter Olympics websites and hotels in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

“We prevented a series of cyberattacks against foreign ministry sites, starting with Washington, and also involving some Winter Olympics sites, including hotels in Cortina,” Tajani told reporters, characterizing the attempted breaches as being “of Russian origin,” though he declined to provide specific technical details or evidence linking the attacks to Russian actors.

The revelation comes at a particularly sensitive time, just two days before Friday’s opening ceremony at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium. The Winter Olympics officially began Wednesday with the first curling matches in Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of the main venues for the Games.

This attempted cyber intrusion highlights the growing concern about digital security at major international sporting events. The Winter Olympics, like other high-profile global gatherings, presents an attractive target for state-sponsored hackers and cybercriminal groups seeking to disrupt operations, gather intelligence, or simply create embarrassment for host nations.

Cybersecurity experts note that major sporting events have increasingly become targets for sophisticated attacks. Previous Olympic Games have faced similar threats, including the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, which experienced a cyberattack during its opening ceremony that was later attributed to Russian military intelligence.

The Italian government has implemented extensive security measures across all Olympic venues. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi addressed parliament on Wednesday, outlining the comprehensive security operation underway. Approximately 6,000 security officers have been deployed across the Games sites, which span from Milan to the Dolomite mountains, he confirmed.

These security forces include specialized units such as bomb disposal experts, counter-terrorism teams, and snipers, reflecting the multi-faceted nature of potential threats facing the international event. The security apparatus covers not only the competition venues but extends to transportation hubs, athlete accommodations, and public gathering areas.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, the picturesque alpine resort hosting several key events, has received particular attention in the security planning. The attempted cyberattacks on hotels in this region suggest that threat actors may have been targeting not only official Olympic infrastructure but also the surrounding hospitality sector that houses thousands of visitors, athletes, and officials.

Cybersecurity has become an integral component of Olympic security planning in recent years. The protection of critical infrastructure, including power grids, water systems, transportation networks, and communications systems, requires constant vigilance against increasingly sophisticated digital threats.

While Tajani did not elaborate on the specific techniques used in the thwarted attacks, cybersecurity analysts suggest that common vectors for such operations include spear-phishing campaigns targeting officials, distributed denial-of-service attacks on public-facing websites, and attempts to infiltrate internal networks to disrupt operations or steal sensitive information.

The attribution to Russian origins comes amid already strained relations between many Western nations and Moscow following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Italy, as part of NATO and the European Union, has aligned with broader Western positions regarding Russia, potentially making it a target for such digital operations.

Italian officials have pledged to maintain heightened cybersecurity postures throughout the duration of the Games, working in coordination with international partners and Olympic organizing committees to ensure the digital security of all related systems and networks.

The Winter Olympics will continue until February 25, with events taking place across multiple venues in northern Italy, marking the country’s first time hosting the Winter Games since Turin in 2006.