The world’s largest security technology company, McAfee has produced a survey highlighting the lack of knowledge and awareness amongst MPs, business leaders and journalists about the severity of a cyber attack on the London 2012 Olympic Games.

When asked to rate the greatest threat to the 2012 Olympics, only two per cent of respondents named cyber threat as the biggest compared to almost half of all respondents who believed a threat was more likely to come from a terror attack or transport failure.

The survey findings suggest the importance of the cyber threat is being overlooked despite the Government categorising the possibility of a cyber attack as a tier one threat in the National Security Strategy, as well as warnings from London 2012 that attacks are inevitable.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and British Olympic Association (BOA) have already allegedly been the subject of cyber attacks along with the networks of 72 organisations according to McAfee research, while Atos Origin, London 2012 IT partner, claim 14 million malware events were recorded per day during the Beijing 2008 Olympics, 400 of which had the potential to impact on the Games although they were all fortunately blocked.

In the first three months of 2011, McAfee identified more than six million examples of malicious software, which far exceeds any records for a similar time period, while there has also been a 76 per cent increase on attacks on android phones.

David Blunkett, former Home Secretary and chair of the International Cyber Security Protection Alliance (ICSPA): “At a time when cyber attacks on organisations like the IMF [International Monetary Fund] are hitting the headlines, it is important that our lawmakers and opinion formers understand the importance of the work being done to protect the London Olympic Games. They must use it as a springboard for a national campaign of online vigilance.”

The survey showed that 52 per cent of business leaders, 64 per cent of politicians and 62 per cent of journalists feel it is unlikely that there will be a large scale cyber attack during London 2012, while 74 per cent of business people, 79 per cent of politicians and 80 per cent of journalists believe that if an attack took place it would not compromise the Games.

Exactly 41 per cent of respondents rated transport as the greatest threat to the success of the Games followed by 38 per cent who rated terror attack as the biggest potential threat.

While only 2 per cent considered a cyber attack the largest threat, 89 per cent of business leaders, 79 per cent of MPs and 83 per cent of journalists felt that the risk of cyber attack will grow in the future.

Rene Roersma, director of global public sector at McAfee EMEA.: “The organisers of the London Olympic Games and those in Government tackling the cyber issue are doing a tremendous job. However, the fact remains that 8,600 new crime websites are detected each day and a further 75 million new pieces of cybercrime software will be generated by the end of 2011.”

The survey was conducted between June 17 and July 12 this year when a series of successful, high-profile cyber-attacks were being reported on the International Monetary Fund, the Pentagon and United States Senate.

India’s Minister for sports and youth affairs, Ajay Maken, asserted that all sports federations, including the Indian cricket board (BCCI), will have to adhere to the new anti-doping law.

The Sports Ministry is planning to bring in a new law to tackle doping after a series of Indian athletes failed to clear their dope tests. 

Maken said: “We are going to the Cabinet in this regard and wish to bring a specific law on doping in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.”

Maken said in cases where laws of international sporting federations conflict with that of Wada then the laws of the former will be applicable. 

On the question of whether BCCI will be covered under the new law, the minister replied, “I am not talking about any one sport. This will be made applicable to all sports.”

The Sports Ministry is also trying to bring the BCCI under the proposed National Sports Development Bill in spite of the their resistance.

In the BCCI’s defence though, it must be said that unlike many other federations that can be said to be actively conniving in doping cover-ups, the Indian board has taken a refreshingly proactive position on the matter.

Meanwhile, listing out steps taken by the ministry in the wake of doping scandal, Maken said: “Whatever it is, now we have asked NIS, SAI and Nada to be more vigilant. I have asked Nada to carry on more surprise checks, increase the frequency and change the dope officers and I am hopeful of positive results.”

He also affirmed that raids will also be conducted more frequently and strict action will be taken against offenders.

Maken said: “We have already started conducting raids. Surprise checks were carried out on Saturday at NIS in Patiala and such raids are being conducted at Bangalore today. Such raids will be carried out more frequently and wherever dope material is found entering the premises, strict action will be taken.”

He added: “Already, strict action has been taken against seven officials and Justice Mukul Mudgal has been appointed to carry out a thorough probe. Strict action would taken. We will spare no one.”

British sports betting company Ladbrokes have made a preliminary approach to buy online bookmaker Sportingbet.

Both parties admitted there had been tentative discussions but at this stage there are no guarantees that they will lead to Ladbrokes submitting an offer for Sportingbet, cialis whose shares rose by 17.65 per cent following the announcement.

A statement released by the Sportingbet board, which was confirmed by Ladbrokes, said the company had received “a highly preliminary approach from Ladbrokes plc which may or may not lead to an offer being made to purchase the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company. There can be no certainty that any offer will be forthcoming or as to the terms of any such offer. A further announcement will be made in due course.”

Sportingbet, which is based in Guernsey and was founded in 1998, has over two million customers, but it is their presence overseas that appeals to Ladbrokes. Sportingbet is well established in Europe, Canada, South America, Australia and South Africa, and are territories in which Ladbrokes would like to grow.

Richard Glynn, Ladbrokes chief executive, confirmed that preliminary discussions had taken place. He said: “The Board has set out previously a clear organic strategy for Ladbrokes. We also stated that we would explore appropriate opportunities that may help us accelerate that process and bring benefits to our shareholders. These talks should be seen in that context and are highly preliminary.”

The Sauber Formula One team are believed to have added to their growing roster of international sponsors by securing a deal with Japanese firm NEC for the 2011 season, although no official announcement has been made.

The company’s logos appeared on the team’s car during a demonstration run in the Mexican city of Guadalajara at the weekend, connected to the team’s new Mexican driver Sergio Perez.

Despite the team not yet confirming any details, NEC’s positioning on its official website and on the car, where it featured on the cockpit sides, suggest it will become a premium partner.

The apparent deal continues an excellent winter of sponsorship acquisition for the Swiss team after deals with Mexican firms including Telmex and Interproteccion were ensured by Perez’s appearance in the roster.

The new Formula One season begins in little under a month, with the Australian Grand Prix on 27th March replacing the postponed season-opener in Bahrain.

 

Media rights agency, illness Sportfive has invited broadcasters to register an interest into the Austrian rights tender for the upcoming Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and Rio 2016 Games by March 28.

Austria finished fifth in the medals table for the 2010 Vancouver Games and has a strong affinity with the Games and indeed winter sports on the whole. The nation will host the 2012 Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck next year.

The broadcast rights for next edition of the Winter Games and the 2016 Summer event will be sold by Sportfive in a total of 40 European territories – the first time that an agency has been licensed to distribute these rights. Sportfive has stated that it is approaching each market on an individual basis.

The Palace of Monaco have refuted claims of corruption and wrong-doing on the part of Prince Albert II after he was accused of accepting bribes in exchange for his backing of Sochi’s successful bid for the 2014 Winter Games.

One of the Prince’s former advisors, Robert Eringer, has consistently accused Albert and last week launched an official complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of which Prince Albert is a member of the board.

Eringer stated that lavished gifts were awarded to the Prince to ensure his vote from President, at the time, Vladimir Putin and Kremlin banker Sergei Pugachev. The American is suing his former employer in a California court, claiming a breach of contract and seeking back pay in the amount of US$476,000.

In an email sent via the Palace of Monaco to the Associated Press, the Palace stated: “The Royal Palace of Monaco categorically denies the false allegations of Mr. Eringer against His Royal Highness Prince Albert II,”

“An IOC member for more than 25 years, the monarch has worked tirelessly to promote sport around the world and to defend its values.”

The London 2012 organising committee has received over 240, clinic 000 applications from across the UK for volunteers.

Out of these, the organisers will be hiring up to 70,000 of them to work as volunteers during the mega event. 

The volunteers will undertake a wide variety of roles – from athlete escorts to stewards to radio operators.

Those who are successful through a selection and interview process will attend at least three training sessions.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson is also recruiting up to 8,000 London ambassadors to help and advise all the visitors who will travel to London at Games time.

European sports network Eurosport has secured live TV and online rights to the MCE British Superbike Championship, it has been announced.

The network has agreed a five-year deal, enabling it to retain the domestic UK Superbike championships up until 2015.

Eurosport’s agreement with MotorSport Vision (MSV) will see the Superbike series broadcast live and exclusive in the UK, with race action also seen across Europe on Eurosport 2.

MSVR chief executive Jonathan Palmer said: “I am delighted that MSV has agreed a new five-year contract with Eurosport to broadcast British Superbikes live throughout the world.

“BSB is the most successful national motorsport series in the UK, attracting more spectators and a greater TV audience than any other motor racing in Britain, whether on two wheels or four.”

Director of British Eurosport, Dave Kerr, added: “I am thrilled that we have been able to retain the British Superbike Championship on British Eurosport.

“We have worked really closely with MSV to grow the popularity of this great championship series and I believe this deal is an endorsement of our excellent production, comprehensive coverage and consistent scheduling.

“I’d also like to thank our increasingly large number of loyal and passionate viewers for making the show a major ratings success for us.”