Skip to content
Sponsored Content

Report from cyber centre addresses cyber threats facing major global sports events

Sponsored: This article provides an overview of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security's warning about the increased cyber threats targeting major international sporting event
cyber-centre-addresses-cyber-threats
Photo via Pixabay

Cybersecurity has often been in the spotlight in the 21st century as global society becomes more and more dependent on digital technology. In light of this, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security recently issued a notice detailing a number of cyber threats associated with major international sporting events. 

With the Olympics currently going in Paris and a number of other major sporting events coming up soon, it’s certainly a threat that has to be taken seriously. Given society’s growing dependence on online services from streaming movies to online shopping and remote working, there isn’t much that can’t be done online these days. With Canada being one of the more progressive nations in the iGaming industry, the nation now also oversees an ever-flourishing number of online gambling platforms too. 

According to iGaming expert Sergio Zammit, with the advent of perks like real money slots in Canada featuring higher Return to Player (RTP) percentages, faster payouts and additional bonuses, features like these are attracting a lot of new players. However, he cautions that for players to have the best experience at these sites, they should be careful to only select ones that have first been vetted by experts to prevent exposure to cyber threats. 

While it isn’t exactly these kinds of threats that are detailed by the Cyber Centre’s bulletin, they make up the broader risks that ordinary people are exposed to every day. Meanwhile, the Centre’s concerns relate to the likes of hacktivists and state-sponsored actors who might seek to exploit global events to achieve harmful objectives. A serious issue the bulletin warns all participants at major sporting events like the Olympics, including spectators, athletes and officials alike to take preventative measures to keep from being compromised. 

As the digital world around us evolves every day, new cyber threats emerge all the time, impacting various sectors globally. Major ones of critical importance like finance, healthcare and government are frequently targeted due to the sensitive nature of their data. In recent years, we’ve also seen an uptick in attacks against the entertainment sector and the gaming industry, including online casinos, as none of these sectors are completely immune despite often being known for having some of the strongest digital security measures around. 

The idea of a major cyber attack happening at a global sporting event is a very serious matter and a chilling one at that. Given the amount of global attention it would get and the potential ramifications, if something so brazen was to actually occur, it would probably result in most of us being left feeling very exposed indeed as it would make it clear just how vulnerable the world is to such threats. 

Despite this, as Canadians everywhere focus on Paris, there are also plenty of seasoned professionals who work tirelessly to guard against such actions so people are urged to stay calm and let them do their jobs. Whether it’s phishing attacks, malware, ransomware or any new-age type of cyber attack, the need for good cybersecurity is an ever-present consideration. 

The organisers of the Olympics and other major sporting events will of course have robust measures in place to avoid major attacks. However, the current political climate also seems to be playing into a growing rift between the major powers so it’s uncertain whether such attacks will even come from individuals, organizations or even shadowy figures acting on behalf of enemy states.     

Either way, between added threats like terrorism and the sheer state of division currently seen in the world as a result of all the geopolitical tension it currently faces, cyber threats are far from the only dangers facing major events. Nevertheless, Sami Khoury, head of the Cyber Centre, stressed the importance of these bulletins in raising awareness and preparing everyone against potential cyber threats and other dangers. 

DISCLAIMER: The information presented on this page/site is intended for entertainment purposes only. Please be aware that gambling entails inherent risks, and it's crucial to acknowledge this when utilizing online gambling platforms.

This sponsored content has been paid for by our sponsor and does not reflect the reviews and recommendations made by Richmond News staff.