Ahead of Super Bowl LX, officials push to strengthen preparation, build resilience and forge partnerships

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said it coordinated a year-long security effort with the NFL, the Department of Homeland Security, and local, state, and private-sector partners to safeguard Super Bowl LX in the San Francisco Bay Area, framing the championship as a test of both physical and cyber resilience at one of the nation’s most-watched events.

CISA’s Region 9 led planning well in advance, producing a tailored playbook informed by lessons from recent Super Bowls in Las Vegas and New Orleans. The agency said its teams conducted physical security assessments using its Infrastructure Survey Tool and Infrastructure Visualization Platform at stadium facilities and nearby critical infrastructure, including water treatment plants, electrical substations, and hospitals.

In the run-up to the game, CISA led tabletop exercises focused on cybersecurity and emergency communications to test risk scenarios, response capabilities, and interagency coordination. It also deployed bombing prevention training and tools such as Explosive Blast Modeling and RAPID walls around high-risk areas.

Officials emphasized the Super Bowl’s designation as a Special Event Assessment Rating 1, underscoring the level of federal coordination required for national-scale events. The agency said it worked with emergency communications partners to mitigate radio-frequency interference, improve equipment interoperability, and refine communications plans across jurisdictions.

On the cyber front, CISA said advisors ran cyber hygiene workshops to harden systems at venues and critical nodes tied to the event, while threat intelligence sharing with private-sector partners and federal intelligence agencies, including the FBI and DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis, provided additional protection.

“The dedication and expertise displayed by all involved highlight the strength and vitality of these partnerships, which are the backbone of our ability to protect and serve communities during major events like Super Bowl LX,” said Region 9 Director Dr. Gerri Alston-Meggett. “It is through these collective efforts that we secure today and build for a safer tomorrow. On behalf of Region 9, I thank all our partners for their unwavering commitment to safety and resilience.”

CISA pointed to broad collaboration—spanning state agencies, fusion centers, local police, emergency management teams, NFL security, and private vendors—as the foundation for a unified security posture. Shared tools, including the CISA Gateway and the agency’s geospatial data resources, were used to consolidate threat analysis and bolster situational awareness across partners.

The agency said its work was aimed at ensuring not just a secure game day but continuity for essential services that underpin the modern Super Bowl experience, from connected stadium operations and ticketing systems to broadcasting and fan-facing technologies.

Looking ahead, CISA said it will again coordinate with partners as preparations begin for Super Bowl LXI in 2027.