Mobile operators should look to sports fans as a way to educate them on potential security threats and the opportunity to sell new services.
Mobile has changed the way people experience sporting events as fans shift to the digital arena to watch, record and share their reactions to games. But this same behavior is putting a giant target on the backs of sports fans as opportunistic cybercriminals take advantage of their enthusiasm and engagement to reel them into phishing attacks like downloading infected apps, buying fake tickets or clicking malicious links. Communications service providers must be vigilant and take a proactive approach to educating mobile customers about the dangers these cybercriminals present. It’s important to onboard them with network-based web security services to ensure an attack-free mobile experience during sporting events and beyond.
This trend is manifested in data we collected during the Rio 2016 Olympic games, which revealed a visible change in mobile users’ behavior. Crucially, there was an increase in the intensity and diversity of online sports engagement – particularly among mobile business-user fans using potentially risky apps and sites. The threat to mobile business-user sports fans is unique in that their behavior affects not only themselves, but puts the enterprise network of their employer within reach of cybercriminals. The findings show the total number of mobile business-user sports fans at risk for malware more than doubled during the games as a result of online sports betting and social networking. Cybercriminals regularly turn to social networks to create very sophisticated, targeted phishing, ransomware or other campaigns to trick users into downloading malware-infected apps or clicking malicious links.
How can CSPs avoid falling foul of cyberattacks?
Mobile broadband and increasingly powerful smartphones make it much easier for sports fans to regularly access apps and websites to check scores, watch replays, read the commentary, book tickets, buy merchandise, bet on outcomes, watch live games and share photos, videos and reactions with friends in their social circles. While security researchers were sounding the alarms before the Rio Olympics began about potential cybersecurity threats, CSPs can increase subscriber loyalty by teaching them about cyber and malware risk and protect them by offering value-added security services that also open up new lines of revenue.
There are a few different ways to do this:
Try and buy
Target at-risk fans with limited time offers to try network-based anti-malware protection. After the trial period, customers can either choose to opt out or begin paying for the service.
Enrich the viewing experience
Bundle security services with high-definition streaming and bandwidth packages designed specifically for the big event.
Top shelf protection
Offer a top-of-the-line mix of anti-malware, anti-phishing and ad blocker services to high-risk fans. Provide discounted rate options for the duration of the event and months following.
Any of these options should come standard with service engagement that includes daily updates regarding apps and webpages blocked due to security risk so subscribers can better understand the value they’re getting. CSPs can also send notifications if certain subscribers start to demonstrate a sudden increase in risky behavior, warning them of potential threats they could fall victim to.
Changes in online behavior that result in increased exposure to cyberattacks aren’t limited to the Rio 2016 Olympics – they could be triggered by any major sporting event, be it the NFL Super Bowl or MLB World Series. CSPs should take the lead in educating their subscribers about potential risks, and keeping them protected with network-based security as a service for all their mobile devices that enables them to experience major sporting events to their full digital extent.
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