For One NFL Team, Tackling Cyber Threats Is Basic Defense

The Dark Reading piece explains that the Cleveland Browns’ cyber defence rests with three people, including vice-president of IT Brandon Covert, who oversee everything from scoreboard integrity to biometric systems. The NFL’s expanding international footprint in 2025 brings new privacy and security considerations, with seven international games scheduled in London, Berlin, Madrid, Dublin, and São Paulo, and a Browns trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London on 12 October.

The article notes that the Browns have adopted strict vendor vetting practices, requiring contractual safeguards such as a CISO in 12 months and data encryption at rest where appropriate. It also highlights the broader risk landscape for NFL teams, including online gambling, a US$100 billion industry, and the potential for data to be exposed if a coach or other staff member trips on a phishing email.

The piece cites privacy norms across jurisdictions, including the California Consumer Privacy Act, and quotes Covert on aligning security with the league’s global ambitions, according to Dark Reading.