Key Advice to Mitigate Cyber Threats Offered at iGB LIVE! 2024

John Sparke and David Brace at the Pulse Theatre. (Image: Alan Evans/Casinos.com)

One of the panel discussions that appealed to Casinos.com and a lot of delegates at iGB LIVE 2024 was the session on High Stakes, High Security: Navigating iGaming Cyber Threats in the Aftermath.

John Sparke, Director of Procurement and Business Development at the LiveScore group, moderated the session at the Pulse Theatre while speaking with David Brace, Principal, Innovation and Technology at Continent 8.  

This discussion was about cybersecurity in the gaming industry, particularly in the casino sites sector. Sparke and Brace discussed the importance of having a robust cybersecurity strategy to prevent data breaches and protect against cyber threats.  

They highlighted the need for visibility, transparency, and collaboration within the industry to share information and best practices. With the rise of mobile gaming, ensuring the security of gaming platforms on mobile devices has become even more critical.

Some key points from the conversation included: 

1. The importance of having a solid cybersecurity strategy in place, including incident response planning and regular testing. 
2. The need for visibility into potential threats and vulnerabilities within the system. 
3. The importance of transparency in reporting cyber incidents and sharing information with other companies to prevent similar attacks. 
4. The need for collaboration and sharing of best practices within the industry to stay ahead of cyber threats. 
5. The use of technology, such as AI-powered tools, to help detect and prevent cyber-attacks. 
6. The importance of training and educating employees on cybersecurity practices and how to report suspicious activity. 
7. The need for a culture of security within an organization, where security is considered a top priority. 

Brace also touched on the topic of future trends in cybersecurity, including the potential for more advanced attacks using AI and machine learning. Casinos offering casino bonuses should be especially vigilant. There's a need to start sharing intelligence and best practices within the industry to stay ahead of these threats. 

The key messages focused on: 

1. The potential for cyber-attacks on gaming platforms, including hacking and data breaches. 
2. The importance of protecting player data and personal information. 
3. The use of encryption and other security measures to protect player data. 
4. The need for regular updates and patching of game software to prevent vulnerabilities. 

Simple Measures to Mitigate Cyber Threats 

Casinos.com asked David Brace where he thought the geolocations for the biggest cyber threats were and what could be done to try and mitigate these threats.

He believes that a simple solution would be to block the IP addresses by country based on identifying where your regular customer base is located. He said there was no point in being open to people who were not your customers.  

Brace said, “It is one of the simplest things you can do to protect your systems. If you are an operator targeted at the Dutch market and you are only ever going to take bets from Dutch citizens, why do you have traffic coming in from China, the Philippines, or even the US? Just block that traffic.

"Identifying what your regular traffic normally looks like is crucial. Do you know where your players are and what platforms they come through? The simplest thing you can do is just drop everything else. Don’t even let them get into your system. Identification is a key thing. It’s one of the key things we do on our platforms and all the other ISPs do. It’s readily available data.”