Breaking News: Italy Confirms Attempted Russian Cyber Attacks on Olympic Infrastructure
Italy says Russian‑linked hackers attempted to breach digital systems tied to the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, according to officials who confirmed the activity this week after security teams intercepted the intrusions. The attempts were detected in recent days across foreign ministry networks, Olympic planning systems and hotel platforms in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Italian authorities say the attacks were coordinated and designed to disrupt Olympic operations, prompting an immediate expansion of national cybersecurity defenses.
Officials said the activity originated from actors with known ties to Russian cyber operations and targeted systems used for athlete logistics, diplomatic communication and venue coordination. The intrusions were carried out through unauthorized access attempts and abnormal traffic patterns. Italy says the attacks were blocked before any damage occurred, but the timing and focus raised concerns about foreign interference as the Games approach.
Italy Says Hackers Targeted Core Olympic Systems
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the attempted breaches hit several layers of Olympic‑related infrastructure, including platforms used by Italy’s embassy in Washington and digital tools supporting athlete accommodations. Hotel reservation systems in Cortina d’Ampezzo were also targeted. These systems are in charge of transportation, credentialing, media coordination and venue operations. They are a core part of how the Winter Games operate.
Italy’s cybersecurity network flagged the activity after detecting irregular traffic and access attempts. Officials have not released technical details, citing security reasons, but said the methods matched patterns seen in previous Russian cyber campaigns against European institutions and global sporting events.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told lawmakers that more than six thousand security personnel are deployed across Olympic venues and transportation hubs. Their responsibilities include physical security, counterterrorism and digital threat response. Piantedosi said the attempted intrusions reinforced the need for constant vigilance and rapid coordination between Italian agencies and international partners.
Italy has expanded its cybersecurity posture in response. Officials increased real‑time monitoring, added digital forensics teams and strengthened information‑sharing channels with the United States and other allied governments. Authorities say cross‑border cooperation is essential because cyber threats often originate outside national jurisdictions and require shared intelligence to track effectively.
Cyber Threats to Global Sporting Events Continue to Rise
The attempted attacks on Italy’s Olympic systems fit a broader pattern of cyber activity targeting high‑profile international events. Past Olympics have dealt with similar cyber activity, including a major incident that hit the 2018 PyeongChang opening ceremony and a series of attempted intrusions that targeted Paris 2024 systems during its preparation phase.
Cybersecurity analysts say global sporting events are appealing targets because they rely on interconnected digital systems that manage ticketing, transportation, broadcast operations and credentialing. Even minor disruptions can ripple through essential systems, creating openings for state‑aligned groups that want to cause embarrassment, apply political pressure or weaken international cooperation.
Russia has denied involvement. The Russian Foreign Ministry pushed back on Italy’s report, framing it as a political claim without evidence. Russia has a long history of dismissing allegations that it interferes with elections, state networks or global events. Italian officials, however, maintain that the technical indicators point toward Russian actors and that the targeting of Olympic infrastructure aligns with previous Russian cyber behavior.
Italian officials say preparations for the Winter Games remain on track despite the attempted intrusions. Organizers report no interruptions to planning, and events across the Milan and Cortina clusters continue to move forward as scheduled. Authorities say no operational systems were affected and that cybersecurity teams will keep elevated monitoring in place throughout the Games.
The episode reinforces the growing weight of cybersecurity in global sporting events. As Olympic planning shifts deeper into cloud‑based tools and live data networks, the surface area for potential interference expands. Italy’s actions point to the need for resilient defenses, rapid threat identification and cross‑border cooperation to safeguard both competition and critical systems.
Italy says the threat has been contained for now. Investigators continue to analyze the attempted intrusions and are working with global partners to determine whether additional attacks are planned. With the Winter Olympics approaching, officials say their priority is ensuring that competition proceeds safely, securely and without digital disruption.
