Italy Thwarts Russia-Linked Cyberattacks on Winter Olympics Websites

Foreign Minister says attempted hacks targeted ministry offices and Cortina hotels

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Italy has foiled a series of cyberattacks targeting some of its foreign ministry offices, including one in Washington, as well as Winter Olympics websites and hotels in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday. Tajani stated that the attempted attacks were 'of Russian origin,' but did not provide additional details.

Why it matters

Cybersecurity threats against major international events like the Winter Olympics are a growing concern, as adversaries seek to disrupt operations, steal sensitive data, and undermine public confidence. Italy's ability to thwart these Russia-linked attacks highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure and events.

The details

According to Tajani, the attempted cyberattacks targeted foreign ministry sites, including one in Washington, D.C., as well as websites and hotels in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the host city for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Italian government did not provide specifics on the nature of the attacks or how they were able to prevent them.

  • The Winter Olympics got underway on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 with the first curling matches in Cortina.
  • The opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics is scheduled for Friday, February 6, 2026 in Milan's San Siro stadium.

The players

Antonio Tajani

Italy's Foreign Minister, who announced that Italy had foiled a series of cyberattacks targeting government offices and Winter Olympics websites and hotels.

Matteo Piantedosi

Italy's Interior Minister, who stated that 6,000 security officers are being deployed across the Winter Olympics sites, including bomb disposal experts, snipers and anti-terrorism units.

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What they’re saying

“We prevented a series of cyberattacks against foreign ministry sites, starting with Washington, and also involving some Winter Olympics sites, including hotels in Cortina.”

— Antonio Tajani, Foreign Minister

What’s next

The Italian government has not provided details on the specific nature of the cyberattacks or how they were able to thwart them. Further information may be released as the Winter Olympics get underway.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting major international events, and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure and public confidence. Italy's ability to detect and prevent these Russia-linked attacks demonstrates the country's commitment to securing the 2026 Winter Olympics.