Italy Bolsters Cybersecurity Ahead of Winter Olympics Amid Hacktivist Threats
The upcoming Winter Olympics is expected to attract around three billion viewers worldwide. As the event approaches, Italian authorities are stepping up efforts to prevent cyber threats from disrupting its smooth operation.
Organisers have warned that transportation and communications systems could be key targets for politically motivated hackers, known as hacktivists.
Over the past year, Italian diplomatic missions have faced repeated cyberattacks. Official reports confirm that the pro-Russian hacker group NoName057(16) targeted multiple locations, including the Embassy in London (January 2025), the Consulate General in Barcelona (March 2025), and the Embassy in Madrid (April 2025). The group also struck the Italian Embassy in Washington, along with consulates in Sydney, Toronto, and Paris.
The attacks took the form of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) assaults, temporarily knocking online services offline. NoName057(16) claimed responsibility, citing Italy's pro-Ukrainian policies as the motive. Italian authorities successfully repelled these attempts but remain on high alert.
With the Winter Olympics nearing, a team of cybersecurity experts is now working alongside organisers to strengthen defences. Their focus is on protecting critical infrastructure from similar disruptions during the games.
Italian officials have already taken early measures to reduce cyber risks before the Olympics begin. Specialists continue monitoring for potential threats, particularly from hacktivist groups. The aim is to ensure the event proceeds without digital interference or service outages.
