The Dark Side of Sports: 10 Cases of Cyberattacks on Sporting Organizations
Sports have always been a source of entertainment, passion, and camaraderie, but behind the scenes, a different game is being played by cybercriminals. The professional sports industry, with its massive reach and resources, has become a prime target for malicious actors looking to exploit vulnerabilities for financial gain. Let’s delve into 10 cases where sports organizations were blindsided by cyberattacks.
1. Business Email Compromise
In a chilling example of how cybercriminals operate, a Premier League club’s managing director fell victim to a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam during a player transfer negotiation. The criminals, using spear-phishing tactics, almost succeeded in swindling £1 million before the bank intervened. Similarly, Italy’s Lazio Rome also lost $2.5 million to scammers in a transfer fee payment mishap.
2. Ransomware Strikes
Manchester United faced disruption in their operations following a ransomware attack in 2020. While the club managed to contain the attack without paying the ransom, the San Francisco 49ers weren’t as lucky, with 20,000 employees and fans’ sensitive information compromised during a ransomware incident.
3. Olympic Destroyer Malware
The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang was marred by the Olympic Destroyer malware, which wreaked havoc on the event’s IT infrastructure. The attack, attributed to sophisticated APT groups, highlighted the vulnerability of high-profile sporting events to cyber threats.
4. World Anti-Doping Agency Data Leak
In 2016, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) suffered a data breach that exposed the medical information of global sports personalities, including Venus and Serena Williams. The breach compromised WADA’s mission of preserving the integrity and cleanliness of sports.
5. NBA Data Breach
The NBA issued an alert about a data breach at one of its external mail service providers, leading to the theft of fans’ names and email addresses. While the NBA’s systems were secure, the incident underscored the importance of monitoring third-party service providers against cyber threats.
6. Houston Rockets Ransomware Attack
The Houston Rockets faced a cyberattack by the Babuk ransomware gang, resulting in the leak of confidential player contracts and financial data. The incident served as a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of cyber threats across industries.
7. ASVEL Basketball Team Data Breach
The French basketball team ASVEL experienced a ransomware attack orchestrated by the NoEscape gang, leading to the exfiltration of sensitive player information and legal documents. The breach highlighted the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures in sports organizations.
8. Real Sociedad Cyberattack
Real Sociedad soccer club fell victim to a cyberattack that compromised subscriber and shareholder data, prompting the club to advise victims to monitor their accounts for suspicious activity. The incident underscored the importance of enhancing cybersecurity protocols.
9. Boca Juniors YouTube Account Hijack
Club Atlético Boca Juniors’ official YouTube account was compromised in a cryptocurrency scam, showcasing cybercriminals’ relentless targeting of prominent sports organizations. Boca Juniors swiftly regained control of the account to mitigate the impact.
10. KNVB Data Theft
A cyberattack against the Royal Dutch Football Association resulted in the theft of confidential data belonging to employees and members, affecting various individuals associated with the organization’s professional soccer leagues.
Protecting the Game
These incidents serve as a stark reminder that the sports industry is not immune to cyber threats. As sports organizations gear up for future events, vigilance and robust cybersecurity measures are essential to safeguard against malicious actors looking to exploit vulnerabilities. Stay alert, stay protected, and keep the game safe from cyber adversaries.