Russian security services blocked close to 25 million cyberattacks and malicious information campaigns during the World Cup, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in the wake of the tournaments final.
“During the World Cup almost 25 million cyberattacks and other criminal attempts on Russias information infrastructure, connected in one way or another to the running of the football World Cup, were neutralized,” the president is quoted in a transcript of a meeting with security forces published Monday.
Cybersecurity researchers in the past showed cyberattacks often peak at global news events.
Putin addressed representatives of law enforcement agencies of up to 34 countries who worked with Russian security services during the World Cup event.
Zoya Sheftalovich and David Herszenhorn contributed reporting.