Mass events like the World Cup not only boost demand for products and services linked to e-commerce, but also open the door to greater exposure to digital attacks that can compromise entire logistics operations .
This was warned by Fidel Delgado , a technology and cybersecurity specialist at Salles Sainz Grant Thornton , who pointed out that the impact begins from the first link in the supply chain at the moment the user makes an online request.
“We are going to have a dangerous combination: high demand, operational urgency, and a brutal amount of bots and artificial intelligence generating fake or automated requests,” he explained.
Delgado emphasized that during events like the World Cup, attempts to automate purchases using bots increase , particularly for tickets, experiences, and high-demand products . This can lead to what are technically known as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks , where the server is overwhelmed by massive requests.
He recalled the recent case of ticket sales for an international match in Mexico, where the platform crashed due to demand, forcing the process to be temporarily suspended.
“The problem is not just that the system will crash; the biggest risk is that purchases will be made that cannot be fulfilled later,” he warned.
A supply chain with less predictability
Unlike other events, the next World Cup will take place in three countries, Mexico, the United States and Canada ; with different geopolitical, economic and social contexts, which complicates demand prediction models.
“Logistics planning is based on historical data and consumption cycles. But the current environment is completely different from what it was four years ago,” Delgado explained.
This creates greater uncertainty regarding inventory levels, maximum and minimum stock levels, warehouse capacity, and infrastructure availability. In the case of e-commerce , the pressure for immediate deliveries also increases operational risk.
“Today’s consumer wants to know when their product arrives and where it is at all times. If you don’t have traceability and real capacity, the promise becomes a vulnerability,” he noted.
One of the main risks identified is the prioritization of speed over safety .
Delgado explained that under agile development schemes, companies can implement rapid changes on digital platforms to respond to demand, but omit critical security testing in code and in dynamic environments.
“When there’s an emergency, systems are brought online without sufficient stress testing. A mistake in an update or a poorly coordinated patch can bring the entire operation to a standstill,” he said.
While the specialist acknowledged that there is greater investment in technology, he warned that many companies still see infrastructure as an expense and not as a strategic investment .
“The problem isn’t just having servers, but knowing if they can handle peak demand. How many simultaneous users can you serve? Do you have alternative infrastructure? Are your systems and firmware up to date ?” he asked.
Furthermore, he emphasized that logistics is increasingly dependent on digital systems such as sales platforms, tracking, inventory management, QR codes, and electronic payments. A disruption could halt deliveries, affect flights, block access, or compromise sensitive data.
To address the World Cup scenario, Delgado emphasized three fundamental pillars : constant support and return points, business continuity plans, and disaster recovery plans.
“No one can eliminate risk. What you can do is minimize it and know how long it takes to recover if something goes wrong,” he said.
The specialist recommended conducting business impact analyses, server stress tests, system crash simulations, and responsibility matrices to avoid dependence on a single key person.
“The most important thing is to test the plans before the event. If they aren’t tested, people will panic on the day of the incident. If they’ve already rehearsed, they know what to do,” he emphasized.
With the expectation of a significant increase in digital consumption, bookings and international mobility, the World Cup will not only be a sporting and commercial challenge, but also a test of technological resilience for the logistics sector.
Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Jennifer Galindo / @GrupoT21
