Protecting the play: An integrative review of cybersecurity in and for sports events

Abstract

Although sport has become an important topic in management research, academics have not fully examined the area of cybersecurity and its strategic relevance in sports management, in particular in and for sports events. In the present study, we examined the relationship between sports and cybersecurity and conducted an integrative literature review that categorizes the research that has been published to date, based on technology-organisation-environment (TOE) framework. The findings show that the role of cybersecurity in and for sports events is a heavily under-researched area that provides an abundance of scientific opportunities. It is also one that deserves further attention, because cyber-attacks on sports events and associated organisations are increasing. Our integrative literature review offers a more structured understanding of this field of investigation and led to the development of a comprehensive research agenda at the intersection between sports management and information security. As one of the first studies to use a literature review that specifically focuses on cybersecurity in and for sports events, we advance the state-of-the-art scholarship in this critical space, and we take the first step to disseminate best practices in cybersecurity and sports management.