As the World Cup kicks off, NetScout CTO Darren Anstee explains why cyber attacks surge alongside the football, and how to prepare for the spike.
The World Cup brings more than global attention; it also drives a sharp rise in cyber threat activity. Darren Anstee, CTO for security at NetScout, sets out how DDoS attacks increase around major sporting events, often starting months before kick-off and peaking during live matches. Attackers test defences early then target critical services once the tournament is underway.
Darren also highlights a shift in hacktivist tactics. Rather than hit well-defended front ends, groups now aim for weaker links in digital supply chains to disrupt core services. He stresses the need for preparation, collaboration and shared intelligence, especially for a tournament spread across multiple countries with a larger attack surface. “It is all about the preparation,” he says.