As the Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo draw closer, Italy has reportedly stopped a series of cyberattacks tied to Moscow, targeting both government and Olympic-related sites.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed the digital strikes on Tuesday, saying the attacks were aimed at Italy’s foreign ministry facilities, including its embassy in Washington, as well as hotel booking systems and websites connected to the Games.
“These are actions of Russian origin,” Tajani said.
“We prevented a series of cyberattacks against foreign ministry sites, starting with Washington and also involving some Winter Olympics sites, including hotels in Cortina.”
Olympics Security Comes Into Focus
The opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics is scheduled for Friday, heightening concerns about potential threats.
Authorities say the timely interception of these cyberattacks has been crucial in safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring the smooth operation of Olympic venues and accommodations.
Echoes of Past Russian Cyber Breaches
This latest series of attacks comes just months after a major cyber incident targeting the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Russian hackers reportedly stole hundreds of sensitive military files, including details about eight RAF and Royal Navy bases, and publicly posted the documents on the dark web.
The breach was linked to the Dodd Group, a maintenance and construction contractor for the MoD, allowing hackers to bypass the Armed Forces’ otherwise robust cyber defences.
Experts have tied the attack to the Russian cyber group known as Lynx.
Sensitive Military Information Exposed
Leaked files revealed data on key RAF and Navy installations, such as RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, where US F-35 jets and nuclear weapons are stationed, as well as RAF Portreath, a top-secret radar site in NATO’s air defence network, and RAF Predannack, home to the UK’s National Drone Hub.
Personal information of contractors and MoD personnel, including names, emails, and car registrations, was also compromised.
Some documents were marked “Controlled” or “Official Sensitive.”
European Airports Hit by Cyber Chaos
The cyberthreat pattern extends beyond government facilities.
In September, suspected Russian-linked attacks caused major flight disruptions at Heathrow, Brussels, Berlin, Dublin, and Cork airports.
Passengers faced delays, cancellations, and confusion as electronic check-in and boarding systems were crippled.
The National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ, launched an investigation.
Analysts noted that the airport attacks coincided with Russian jets breaching NATO airspace over Estonia, further fueling suspicions of state involvement.
A former British military intelligence officer commented that the strike bore “all the hallmarks” of Russian cyber operations.
Vigilance Remains High
With the Winter Olympics fast approaching, Italy’s early detection of these attacks demonstrates the increasing importance of cybersecurity in international events.
Officials are continuing to monitor threats, ensuring that sensitive information and infrastructure remain protected from digital interference.
This story is developing, and updates will follow as more details emerge.
