While athletes, visitors, and referees at the Paris 2024 Olympics have been voicing concerns about the event’s organization, a new issue has surfaced: a cyberattack on one of the venues. Reports circulating on X and Facebook suggest that the Grand Palais Exhibition Hall, where sports like Fencing and Taekwondo are being held, has fallen victim to a ransomware attack.
According to FranceInfo Radio, which has verified the information, the attack occurred in the early hours of last Saturday. The Grand Palais, a glass-roofed venue located in the heart of Paris, has experienced significant disruptions due to this incident.
Cybersecurity Insiders reveal that the attack targeted not only the Grand Palais but also affected about 40 smaller museums managed by the same technology provider. The attackers have demanded a cryptocurrency ransom within 48 hours, threatening to release stolen financial data on the dark web if their demands are not met.
Sources on Telegram suggest that the cybercriminals timed their attack to coincide with peak visitor traffic, taking advantage of the increased presence of tourists near the event venues. There are unconfirmed reports that card transaction data may have been compromised.
French Cyber Crime Police are actively investigating the situation, aiming to mitigate the impact and recover the encrypted data. A 24-member cyber security team has been deployed around the clock to protect the event from further digital threats.
Despite the current issues, authorities are confident that the Paris 2024 Olympics, including the upcoming Paralympics through September, will continue without major disruption. The identity of the ransomware group responsible for the attack is expected to be disclosed following a thorough investigation.
