The NFL’s biggest game – and one of the largest sporting events on the planet – is just days away, offering millions the chance to be entertained for a few hours. Fans will be glued to their television sets to experience the drama, the competition and the showmanship. Will they be thinking about cyber threats? Probably not. But, surprisingly, business owners can learn some valuable lessons about cybersecurity from the Super Bowl.
The NFL is a business. And like many businesses, it works with a massive ecosystem of outside companies to deliver its product to the people. Thousands of third-party vendors – from the rented stadium, ticket sellers and HVAC-system providers, to the retailers and halftime show techs – are required to produce the show. Unprotected third-party vendors provide a path of least resistance for cybercriminals to sneak through the digital back door, potentially compromising safety, leaving data unprotected and creating havoc for organizations.