Police Scotland has implemented extensive measures to counter cyber attacks during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, according to a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS). The ten-day event, running from July 23 to August 2, faces threats including ticket fraud and IT infrastructure breaches that could disrupt competitions and cause public confusion.
Cyber Threats and Ticket Fraud
Criminals are expected to set up fake websites selling invalid tickets, leaving fans out of pocket. Hackers may also spread false information about venues and event times, creating chaos on competition days. A breach of timing systems used in sports could further affect the Games. The HMICS report states: "Key cyber-related risks have been explicitly recognised, including potential disruptive attacks, fraud-related activity and emerging technological risks."
Collaborative Security Measures
A Police Scotland cyber team has partnered with the National Crime Agency (NCA) to combat serious and organised cyber crime. The Scottish Cyber Coordination Centre, Police Scotland, the Organising Company, and other cyber security partners are coordinating planning. The report notes: "Planning activity is progressing well... The group has arranged a series of meetings to explore coordination structures that would be activated in the event of a cyber incident."
A daily multi-agency cyber situational awareness group will operate during the Games, mirroring protocols from other major events. A dedicated Police Scotland communications cell will also coordinate responses to any attacks.
Lessons from Past Events
Major sporting events have been targeted before. During the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, police blocked 176,000 pieces of malware. One official described the situation as "the Wild West." Malware, designed to damage or gain unauthorized access to systems, can steal data, extort victims, and hijack devices. In February 2018, a cyber attack disrupted the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, affecting the official website, TV, and internet systems for 12 hours.
Glasgow 2026: A Slimmed-Down Event
The 2026 Games will feature 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing in ten sports, including swimming and cycling. Glasgow stepped in as host after Victoria, Australia withdrew in 2023 due to rising costs. The 67-page HMICS report also assessed broader law enforcement plans. HM Assistant Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Brian McInulty, said: "We found that Police Scotland has established a strong and credible foundation for the policing of the Games. Planning is intelligence-led, risk aware and informed by learning from previous major events and high-profile visits."
Police Scotland Gold Commander Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland added: "We are aware of the potential for cyber-attacks which are often led by organised crime groups. We will continue to assess cyber threat levels in the run up to and during the Games. Managing cyber-risk has been a core part of the planning process and during the Games we will have specialist cyber investigators available. Our preparedness also includes testing and exercising various scenarios, such as cyber threats, to ensure an effective and coordinated response to incidents."
