Defending the Goalpost: The Need for Cybersecurity in Protecting Professional Sports Clubs
Even giants like Manchester United are not safe from cyber threats. In 2020, Manchester United faced a ransomware attack, which threatened their IT infrastructure. This attack didn’t just challenge the club's technical defenses; it put a spotlight on the vital importance of cybersecurity in sports.
A Deep Dive into Manchester United
The attack was identified as a sophisticated operation, suggesting the involvement of experienced cybercriminals. Ransomware attacks are known for their disruptive potential, and this one was no exception.
Luckily, the attack didn’t disrupt the matchday operations, or the club’s media channels but it did disrupt some of the internal systems. While the attack did not affect matchday operations or the club's media channels, it did disrupt some of the internal systems. The extent of this disruption wasn’t fully disclosed, but it highlighted the dependency of modern sports clubs on digital infrastructure. It’s an important reminder that even the most “offline activities” like professional sports need to be taken care of in the digital space.
The Prevalent CyberSecurity Attacks on Professional Sports
A report by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the UK indicated that 70% of sports organizations experienced a cyber incident or breach, which is double the average for businesses.
The average cost of a cyber incident in sports organizations can be significant. For instance, the NCSC reported that the average cost of a cyber breach for a sports organization is approximately $10,000, but one incident cost a club as much as $4 million (though their name was not publicly disclosed).
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which overwhelm systems with traffic, are also a risk. These can disrupt ticket sales, online services, and even impact games and events.
Why Investment into Cybersecurity is Important
It’s evident that professional sports are in dire need of penetration testing.
Data Protection: Sports clubs store vast amounts of sensitive data, making them targets for cyberattacks. Penetration testing identifies and fixes security vulnerabilities to protect this data.
Reputation and Trust: Cyber breaches can damage a club's reputation and trust with fans and partners. Regular pentesting helps prevent such incidents, safeguarding the club's image.
Regulatory Compliance: Clubs must comply with data protection laws like GDPR. Pentesting ensures adherence to these regulations, avoiding potential fines.
Financial Security: Cyberattacks can cause financial losses. Penetration testing identifies risks, protecting against fraud and ransomware.
Operational Continuity: Cyberattacks disrupt club operations. Pentesting finds system weaknesses, ensuring smooth functioning.
Competitive Integrity: Protecting sensitive information like team strategies is crucial. Pentesting guards against breaches that could compromise this.
Fan Engagement: Digital platforms for fan engagement are cyberattack targets. Secure platforms maintain fan trust.
The cyberattack on Manchester United in 2020 serves as a stark reminder that in the world of soccer, not all attackers are on the field. Just like in soccer, the best defense in cyberspace is a good offense - proactive, vigilant, and always ready to tackle the next challenge.
