World Cup hosts are bolstering cyber and physical security across U.S. cities where matches will be played as officials warn state-backed hackers and criminal groups could target broadcasts, ticketing, transit, water systems and other critical infrastructure.
Coordination spans the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup, CISA, the FBI, Army units, state cyber commands and local law enforcement, as well as partners in Mexico and Canada, the Politico report said. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the task force, said the group is “working closely” with CISA and that the agency’s “expertise and real-time information sharing are central to safeguarding critical infrastructure and stadiums across all host cities.”
Federal and state agencies have run large-scale exercises and venue assessments, and CISA staff have completed more than 1,000 “engagements, exercises, security assessments and training activities,” the agency shared with reporters. The FBI is conducting ongoing threat assessments, including plans for unauthorized drone activity. Brigadier Gen. Matt Ross said he visited the FBI’s counter-drones training center in Alabama and is helping host cities deploy drone-mitigation measures.
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State cyber teams are coordinating with dozens of private and public entities to protect key sites. New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium security planning involves roughly 70 organizations across transit, police, water and electric operators, officials said. Colin Ahern, chief cyber officer for the state of New York, summed up the scope: “It’s everything, everywhere, all at once,” he said.
Officials also warned that a lapse in DHS appropriations has hindered some preparations. CISA acting director Nick Andersen said 40 percent of personnel in the agency’s Office for Bombing Prevention are furloughed, and FEMA’s distribution of $625 million in security grants has been slowed, the report said. Agencies continue joint drills and information-sharing ahead of kickoff.
The recap
- U.S. host cities are strengthening cyber defenses for World Cup matches
- CISA completed over 1,000 engagements and security activities
- Officials are conducting joint drills and coordination ahead of kickoff
