- COVID-19 Pandemic, Ransomware, and Nation-State Threat Actors Influence 
Potential Threat Landscape

Recorded Future, the world's largest provider of intelligence for enterprise 
security, today published details on the threat landscape surrounding the 
upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, including the potential influence by the 
COVID-19 pandemic, ransomware attacks, and politically motivated nation-state 
threat activity. As evidenced by past Olympics, the high profile and 
international nature of the event makes it a target for those seeking to cause 
politically motivated harm, enrich themselves through criminal activities, or 
embarrass the host nation on the international stage. 

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/705622/Recorded_Future_Logo.jpg   

Recorded Future's unrivaled data set of open source, dark web, technical 
sources, and original research enabled the analysis of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 
threat landscape. Key findings from the report include: 

    -- State-sponsored threat actors pose the most significant threat to the 
       Olympic Games and Olympics-affiliated organizations based on their 
       sophisticated capabilities and ongoing disputes with the International 
       Olympic Committee (IOC) or associated bodies. 
    -- Russian APT groups are likely the most motivated to target and disrupt 
       the upcoming Olympics given previous cyber campaigns targeting the event 
       and the current dispute over the country's eligibility to participate. 
    -- Ransomware likely poses the greatest threat to Olympics-affiliated 
       organizations as operators are likely to view the Olympics as attractive 
       targets. 
    -- State-sponsored propaganda and disinformation outlets are engaging in 
       initial influence activities against the Tokyo games to generate 
       controversy and undermine the event as unpopular, unsafe, or unfair. 
    -- The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions likely reduces 
       the opportunity for physical attacks to take place, but the Olympics are 
       a common venue for political protest, and widespread opposition to the 
       event in Japan increases the risk of domestic-based threats. 

"The Olympics has historically been a prime target for threat actors whether 
for political motivations or because ransomware victim organizations may be 
heavily incentivized to quickly pay ransoms. While there is a reduced 
likelihood of physical threats or widespread disruptive protests, it remains of 
utmost importance for any organization to be aware of this evolving threat 
landscape and the historical motivations for malicious activity while the world 
is watching." — Dr. Christopher Ahlberg, CEO and Co-Founder, Recorded Future

About Insikt Group
Recorded Future's Insikt Group, the company's threat research division, 
comprises analysts and security researchers with deep government, law 
enforcement, military, and intelligence agency experience. Their mission is to 
produce intelligence that reduces risk for clients, enables tangible outcomes, 
and prevents business disruption.

About Recorded Future
Recorded Future is the world's largest provider of intelligence for enterprise 
security. By combining persistent and pervasive automated data collection and 
analytics with human analysis, Recorded Future delivers intelligence that is 
timely, accurate, and actionable. In a world of ever-increasing chaos and 
uncertainty, Recorded Future empowers organizations with the visibility they 
need to identify and detect threats faster; take proactive action to disrupt 
adversaries; and protect their people, systems, and assets, so business can be 
conducted with confidence. Recorded Future is trusted by more than 1,000 
businesses and government organizations around the world. Learn more at 
www.recordedfuture.com and follow us on Twitter at @RecordedFuture.

SOURCE  Recorded Future

CONTACT: Cait Mattingly, Global Communications, Recorded Future, 
media@recordedfuture.com