IPN Strengthens Cybersecurity Before the 2026 World Cup

The Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) will provide specialized technology and personnel to federal and local authorities to secure the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This technical collaboration strengthens the digital infrastructure of Mexican institutions involved in the tournament through advanced response protocols and containment strategies.

The integration of academic and technical expertise will support the logistical success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. "A massive event of this magnitude forces host countries to update digital protection schemes, adopt a proactive posture, and design comprehensive preparation before, during, and after the World Cup to face threats in cyberspace," says Eleazar Aguirre, Researcher, IPN’s Cybersecurity Laboratory.

This proactive approach transitions from traditional reactive security to a model of continuous vigilance. Aguirre says that the scale of the event, expected to welcome over 5.5 visitors just to in Mexico, requires an immediate update of existing digital frameworks to mitigate risks associated with high-profile international gatherings.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a significant milestone as it is the first edition simultaneously hosted by three countries: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This tripartite structure introduces unique challenges regarding data sovereignty, cross-border information flow, and synchronized defense mechanisms. 

Aguirre notes that the three host countries already maintain coordination to address cyber incidents associated with the tournament. This cooperation includes the exchange of technical information, the definition of shared protocols, and the strengthening of collective technical capacities.

Cybersecurity serves as a primary pillar of national security and an essential enabler for economic development. The strengthening of these programs consolidates the response chain for both public organizations and private companies. Furthermore, the protection of personal data within the digital environment remains a priority, particularly for platforms managing ticket sales, fan IDs, and hospitality services.

Technical Framework and Operational Phases

The IPN identifies four stages to shield the national cyberspace during the tournament. The first, preparation, involves the design of strategies and plans to address potential vulnerabilities before they are exploited. This stage requires rigorous mapping of the digital attack surface. The second phase is containment, which focuses on preventing an incident from propagating and causing systemic damage.

The third, eradication, involves the complete removal of the threat and the subsequent restoration of affected services and systems. Finally, the fourth is cyber-resilience: using lessons learned from previous incidents to anticipate and mitigate future attacks, ensuring that the infrastructure remains robust.

These protocols require specialized teams to manage constant monitoring, vulnerability management, and immediate response to incidents. The complexity of the 2026 FIFA World Cup demands a diverse range of technical expertise. Following the standards established by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, the IPN identifies the necessity of at least 12 distinct specialist profiles to manage digital risks effectively. These profiles include:

• Threat Analysts: Professionals dedicated to identifying and evaluating emerging digital threats.

• Network Experts: Specialists who ensure the integrity and availability of communication infrastructures.

• Digital Forensics Leads: Experts responsible for the investigation of breaches and the recovery of digital evidence.

• Incident Responders: Personnel trained for the immediate mitigation of active attacks.

• Offensive Security Specialists: Individuals who perform penetration testing to identify weaknesses before malicious actors do so.

• Resilience Strategists: Experts focused on designing systems that can maintain operations during an ongoing attack.