In modern sport, venue security is no longer just about physical barriers — it’s about digital resilience. As stadiums and teams rely on a growing ecosystem of technology providers, agencies, and contractors, third-party cybersecurity has become one of the most complex challenges in operations.

Speaking at Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges in Elite Sport, hosted by Premier Sports Network in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Madison Slater, Director of Cybersecurity at Tepper Sports & Entertainment, highlighted how partnerships built over decades can introduce unseen risk — and why the solution lies in collaboration, not confrontation.

“Over the last several years, we’ve all seen incidents where it’s not the organisation itself being attacked — it’s a vendor or partner,” Slater explained. “Having to bring that level of maturity is a challenge because many of these relationships have been in place for years, sometimes decades.

We’re not doing this to be difficult — we’re doing this to strengthen relationships. At the end of the day, we all have the same goal: to put on great events, deliver a great fan experience, and make sure everyone involved is protected.”

Slater’s perspective underscores a growing reality: as the digital infrastructure of sport expands, cybersecurity standards must evolve across every level of the supply chain — from ticketing and media operations to logistics, data management, and event production.

Building a Culture of Shared Responsibility

Forward-thinking organisations are now adopting shared responsibility frameworks, embedding cybersecurity awareness into their vendor contracts and training processes. This shift is redefining what operational excellence means in sport — with cybersecurity becoming as critical to reputation and fan trust as physical safety and performance.

As Premier Sports Network continues its work with partners such as Booz Allen Hamilton, it remains committed to advancing dialogue, education, and collaboration around cyber risk in elite sport.