According to French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, 68 cyberattacks related to the Paris Olympics have been reported since July 22. In addition, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that cyberattacks in general have more than doubled since the COVID pandemic.
Jeetu Patel, EVP and GM, Security and Collaboration at Cisco, joins Wealth! to share insights on the best ways to protect yourself and your business from cyberattacks.
Patel confirms: "First of all, make sure that the passwords you use for all the applications you use are unique, make sure you have two-factor authentication enabled... don't scan QR codes that come from suspicious folders as they could take you to a malicious website."
For more expert insights and the latest market action, click here to watch the full episode of Wealth!
This post was written by Nicholas JacobinoVideo transcript
Now let's talk about cybersecurity.
France has reported 68 cyberattacks related to the Olympic Games since July 22.
A major event like this was already hit before the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. They were hit by a cyberattack that was later found to have been carried out by Russian hackers. The International Monetary Fund, known locally as the IMF, found that the number of cyberattacks has doubled since the pandemic.
We'd like to talk to a security expert about how you can protect your information and finances from these threats.
We have Jitu Patel, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Security and Collaboration at Cisco.
I am.
Nice to talk to you here.
So we think about the best protection that people can provide for themselves.
Given the history of cybersecurity threats surrounding events like this.
What are the first steps they should take, Brent?
First of all, I would like to thank you for inviting me.
It's good to see you again.
And you know, if you think about what's happening in the world right now, the adversaries are becoming more and more sophisticated and these sporting events and these high density venues are often the perfect locations for bad actors to go out and make sure that they can continue to deliver threats.
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What we think needs to happen is that on an individual level we are very careful when we go out, because we are all connected.
So first of all, make sure that the passwords that you use for all the applications that you have are unique. Make sure that you have two-factor authentication enabled if you haven't already, because that's one of the biggest areas where people get hacked when they don't have to. Enable two-factor authentication, for example Apple Pay. If you have a phone, make sure that's disabled when you go somewhere. Don't scan QR codes that come from suspicious flyers, because they can take you to a malicious website.
These are the precautions you as a consumer should take when attending these types of events.
And, uh, and just know that you're going to be a target there.
So be careful and stay alert. Why are cyber attacks so common at major sporting events?
I remember last year being given a tour and actually getting to sit in a 'war room' and a 'cyber security war room' at one of those major sporting events.
And I was shocked by the number of different threats they have to fend off on a real-time basis.
You know, major sporting events have always been attractive targets for attacks because of the sheer scale and impact and the disruption that it can cause.
Right.
So I think you can assume that if you're organizing a major sporting event, that's always going to be a target.
And you know, for example during the Super Bowl this year, where we, uh, uh, we have a partnership with Cisco, the CIA Malwa Analytics blocked about 1.2 million, 1.2 million malicious files before they could get into the NF L network.
So you can assume that this is normal and that it is getting more and more intense. These attackers are not getting less sophisticated, they are getting more sophisticated, they have better tools and they are getting better coordinated.
So the defense must always be one step ahead and has an inherent advantage because it has to get it right once, while a defender has to get it right every time.
Every time.
G two, we only have 15 seconds left here.
I also want to put a twist and offer some tips for travelers who want to make sure they're protecting their information as best as possible, even as Labor Day approaches and they may still have some late summer travel ahead of them.
What should they pay attention to when it comes to their own cybersecurity?
The most important thing you can do if you don't have two-factor authentication is to make sure you actually opt in to two-factor authentication. That's where most attacks happen. Then, pay close attention to whether someone sends you something before you click on a website.
Know whether that URL is actually legitimate or not.
Be aware of spelling mistakes and official emails being sent. These are all signs that an attack is coming your way. So be careful, because identity fraud is a very traumatic experience for an individual consumer.
G two Patel, who is the Cisco Executive Vice President and General Manager of Security and Collaboration.
Nice to see you again, G2 hopes to come back again in the future.
Thank you.
Certainly.
