Eurovision organisers feel they are in a "really good place" to deal with any potential cyberthreat from Russia, the BBC's managing director of the event has said.
Thousands of people have made their way to Liverpool for the celebration of music and spirits are already high in the EuroVillage, at St George's Hall and all across the city.
Security preparations are in place with the contest protected by a ring of steel involving 5,500 police officers across 11 days. Fears over a potential cyberthreat have been raised as well due to the UK hosting the contest following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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The BBC's Martin Green has said organisers "feel confident" aout their preparations for any potential cyberthreat ahead of the week-long event.
Mr Green, who also led the Olympic ceremony at London 2012, said the best way to deal with any threat was “by making sure you are surrounded by the best”.
Speaking during a press conference at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, he added that he has “some form in doing these big shows”.
“Obviously I did the Olympic opening ceremony 12 years ago and now we are doing this,” he added.
“There is just a tip where you are looking at security but in those days it was primarily physical threat and secondarily a technical threat.
“The scales have just gone like that really. Such is life. What I can say is that there is no more work going on on this event than any other global event that I have worked on.
“It is just the scales are switching and you put a lot more effort into it.
“The way to deal with it is to just make sure you have got the best people around you, and we have, and we are very lucky for that.”
The broadcaster has been working with the European Broadcasting Union’s specialist team and the National Cyber Security Centre ahead of the week-long event in Liverpool. Mr Green said there had been “a lot of testing” but said he was unable to share more specific details.
“But we are in a really good place and I feel very, very confident about the rest of the week and what we have got out there,” he added.
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