Fiber Optic Attack in France, Where the Olympics Are Ongoing!

While the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, on July 26 is highly discussed on social media, the competitions continue at full speed. Unfortunately, acts of “sabotage” are also taking place behind the scenes.

Following the arson attack on train lines in the country, telecommunication infrastructures were attacked in the Hérault, Bouches-du-Rhône, Oise, Meuse, Drôme and Aude regions. Problems occurred in fixed and mobile lines due to fiber optic cables being broken.

Russian Hackers Have Been Targeting the Olympics for Years!

Condemning the attacks, Digital Affairs Minister Marina Ferrari described these actions as “cowardly and irresponsible”. Paris, where the Olympic events are held, was not affected by the cutting of fiber optic cables, but almost everyone thinks that this was done to damage the Olympics.

Millions of people are flocking to Paris for the Olympic games, and authorities are on the alert not only to ensure security in the country, but also to cyber attacks. Cybersecurity experts predict there could be up to four billion cyber attacks during the Olympic Games.

French intelligence services are especially alert against Russian hackers. Russia has a long record of cyberattacking the Olympics. Russia was not allowed to participate in the Olympics this year due to the invasion attacks on Ukraine, so tensions are at an all-time high.

At the Winter Olympics held in South Korea in 2018, hackers affiliated with Russian intelligence services disrupted the online ticket system and cut off the WiFi in the stadium during the opening ceremony. So, while the Olympics offer a great sports feast to the audience, a cat-and-mouse game is being played behind the scenes between criminals and the police.