Cyber Diplomacy and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Olympics and Cyber Threats

With the Olympics being a global event, it is often at risk for cyber-related attacks. These attacks come in various forms and are sometimes politically motivated. All around the world, politicians are working together to create policies to prevent these attacks from occurring.

On the Lookout for Cyber Threats

Many organizations including the FBI are currently unaware of any specific threats, but have begun warning organizations involved with the 2020 Olympics to be on high alert for possible attacks. These attacks can come in various forms, but the three main cyber threats that experts are concerned about are:

Russian nation-state activity: Russian hackers have been found hacking the Olympic games after two of their athletes were identified to be doping and were suspended from competing for their nation’s flag. In 2020, the United Kingdom reported that Russia’s GRU military intelligence service tried to hack organizations associated with the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics before they were postponed.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) — UK’s government agency — reported that the GRU’s Main Centre for Specialist Technologies, Sandworm and VoodooBear, were also involved in the cyber attacks committed in the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. During those attacks, the GRU attempted to disguise itself as North Korean and Chinese hackers. They targeted broadcasters, a ski resort, and official sponsors of the 2018 Olympics.

Ransomware and Malware: In most ransomware and malware attacks, there is a ransom involved. In April 2020, a group of hackers penetrated the Japanese Olympic Committee and as a result, they were forced to shut down all of their operations. All operations resumed a month later when 60 computer servers and desktops were replaced, which cost around $270,000. Luckily, the JOC did not receive any demands for a ransom. Last week, a similar malware that was designed to wipe files on an infected device was found in Japan two days before the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

Disinformation: Disinformation is a very important issue because the Tokyo 2020 Olympics involves many nations with various cultural and political ideologies. It has been found that Russian state-sponsored propaganda outlets have been engaging in influential activities to try and deem the Tokyo Olympics as unsafe, unpopular, and unfair. This is because of a dispute between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Russia over the nation’s eligibility to participate in the Olympics.

Actions Taken for Cyber Diplomacy

Several actions have been taken in order to make cyber security more efficient and introduce a sense of cyber diplomacy throughout the world. In the United States Senate, intelligence leaders Mark Warner and Marco Rubio introduced a legislation that would require companies to report any cyber incidents that occur to the federal government. However, all but three committee members, Senator Ron Wyder, Senator John Cornyn, and Senator Tom Cotton did not sponsor the legislation, as most wanted more general changes to the legislation.

The Biden administration has begun a global hacking campaign which targets issues such as the breach of the Microsoft Exchange Servers. Several nations in NATO have already signed the agreement.

Also, United States House Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Michael McCaul, Mike Gallagher, Jim Langevin, Adam Kinzinger, and Bill Keating have reintroduced the Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2021. This bill will ensure the State Department opens the Office of International Cyberspace Policy to advocate for democratic ideals in the global cyberspace.

What You Can Do To Help

Stay updated on recent events related to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and Cyber Security in general. Contact representatives and voice your opinions to them. Hearing the public’s opinion and views will make them much more likely to vote in a supporting way.

Sources

“UK Exposes Series of Russian Cyber Attacks against Olympic and Paralympic Games.” GOV.UK, www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-exposes-series-of-russian-cyber-attacks-against-olympic-and-paralympic-games.

Sabin, Sam. “Staking out the Olympics Cyber Threats.” POLITICO, 26 July 2021, www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-cybersecurity/2021/07/26/staking-out-the-olympics-cyber-threats-796711.

“UK and Partners Condemn Gru Cyber Attacks against Olympic and Paralympic Games.” Ncsc.gov.uk, www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/uk-and-partners-condemn-gru-cyber-attacks-against-olympic-an-paralympic-games.

“Hackers Attacked Joc Computer System in Breach Not Made Public: The Asahi SHIMBUN: Breaking NEWS, Japan News and Analysis.” The Asahi Shimbun, 25 June 2021, www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14380973.

“Meeks, McCaul, GALLAGHER, Langevin, KINZINGER, Keating Reintroduce the Cyber Diplomacy Act.” House Foreign Affairs Committee, 23 Feb. 2021, foreignaffairs.house.gov/2021/2/meeks-mccaul-gallagher-langevin-kinzinger-keating-reintroduce-the-cyber-diplomacy-act.

“Threats to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.” Recorded Future, 15 July 2021, www.recordedfuture.com/threats-2020-tokyo-olympic-games/.