Fast Facts

• Italy’s State Police and the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation have signed a cybersecurity agreement for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
• The CNAIPIC (National Cybercrime Center for Critical Infrastructure Protection) will lead 24/7 cyber defense operations.
• Dedicated crisis response protocols, live threat sharing, and joint training are core parts of the pact.
• The Games’ critical IT systems span multiple Italian regions, including Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino Alto Adige.
• This move follows a global trend of escalating cyber threats against major international sporting events.

Digital Battleground: The Olympic Stakes

Picture the Olympic cauldron blazing in the snowy Italian Alps - while, unseen, a parallel contest rages in the digital shadows. The 2026 Milano Cortina Games are not just a showcase of athletic prowess, but a prime target for global cybercriminals, hacktivists, and even state-backed adversaries. With billions of viewers, massive data flows, and critical infrastructure online, the Olympics have become a high-value bullseye for disruptive attacks.

The Pact: Policing the Cyber Arena

In response, Italy’s State Police and the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation have inked a sweeping accord to safeguard every byte and server behind the Games. The strategy centers on the National Cybercrime Center for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CNAIPIC), which will operate a round-the-clock command post. Think of it as an air traffic control tower for digital threats, coordinating with regional cyber units in Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino Alto Adige to ensure no malicious packet slips through undetected.

The agreement isn’t just about monitoring; it’s a living playbook. It mandates joint planning for rapid response to cyber incidents, continuous information sharing, and hands-on training for Olympic staff - transforming them from potential weak links into the first line of cyber defense. This holistic approach reflects hard lessons learned from recent Olympic cycles, where the stakes have been all too real.

Lessons from Recent History: Why the Urgency?

The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics endured the "Olympic Destroyer" malware - an attack that disrupted opening ceremony systems and threatened ticketing, Wi-Fi, and broadcasts. Tokyo 2020 reportedly saw over 450 million attempted cyber intrusions, though most were successfully repelled. The market for Olympic-themed phishing and ransomware is thriving, with attackers looking to exploit everything from ticket sales to athlete data.

Italy’s proactive pact is not just about defense, but deterrence. By publicizing its multi-layered shield and international liaisons, the country sends a clear signal: the Games will not be easy prey. The collaboration also boosts Italy’s standing in the global cybersecurity arena, showcasing a model of public-private partnership at a time when sporting events are increasingly entangled in geopolitical rivalries.

Building a Resilient Olympic Legacy

In the digital age, the Olympics are more than a celebration of human achievement - they are a test of our ability to protect shared moments from invisible threats. As Italy readies its cyber fortress, the world will watch not just the races on the slopes, but the quiet, relentless contest to keep the Games safe, open, and fair.

WIKICROOK

• CNAIPIC: CNAIPIC is Italy’s national center that monitors and responds to cyber threats against critical infrastructure, such as power grids and major event IT systems.
• Critical Infrastructure: Critical infrastructure includes key systems - like power, water, and healthcare - whose failure would seriously disrupt society or the economy.
• Phishing: Phishing is a cybercrime where attackers send fake messages to trick users into revealing sensitive data or clicking malicious links.
• Incident Response: Incident response is the structured process organizations use to detect, contain, and recover from cyberattacks or security breaches, minimizing damage and downtime.
• Threat Intelligence: Threat intelligence is information about cyber threats that helps organizations anticipate, identify, and defend against potential cyberattacks.