Planning Proper Protection For Your Gaming Needs

There are quite a few moving targets in the gaming industry right now, especially when it comes to cyber threats and compliance with regulators.

There are vulnerabilities and threats that gaming operators may not even be aware of because cybercriminals are continuously learning new ways to access networks.

Additionally, organizations need a spreadsheet just to keep track of the various regulations in the gaming industry because they differ depending on the region they’re operating in. 

Brick-and-mortar casinos, online gaming, and sports betting are subject to their own unique set of regulations. For example, Mississippi does not require security testing for sports wagering yet; West Virginia does require it for sports betting and iGaming, but not land-based casinos.

Some gaming organizations are taking a proactive approach by using security testing frameworks that comply with the highest standard of compliance across all jurisdictions in which their business operates.

Examples of higher standards include GLI-33 Standards, ISO/IEC 27001, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework.

When gaming organizations follow strict security standards like the ones we mentioned alongside regular security assessments, they are better equipped to identify and repair system vulnerabilities. This will help strengthen their security posture, mitigate risk, and system vulnerabilities.

Our own Gus Fritschie, Senior VP of Information Security Services at Bulletproof, says that “compliance does not equal security, but if you are secure, you will be compliant.”

Cybercrime is skyrocketing, regulations are changing, and there is a lack of standardization across jurisdictions. With a proactive approach to security planning, you can be the oddsmaker for your own security—virtually eliminating the worry of failing a compliance test or giving the win to a cybercriminal.

This approach does not have to completely fall on the shoulders of the internal IT team. Third-party security experts such as Bulletproof can help develop a sophisticated framework suited for your gaming organization that involves a series of rigorous tests that they can perform, or your team can take on in-house.

Penetration testing, or pen testing, is one way to get ahead. Pen tests are essentially simulated cyber-attacks, meant to discover a system’s vulnerabilities and assess how well it detects and responds to the attacks. This differs from vulnerability scanning, because those tests use automated tools to look for system vulnerabilities only.

Operational tests and risk assessments are also important in order to test systems in a live environment. They enable gaming organizations to evaluate potential risks and design countermeasures to mitigate those risks

Continuous education is another way to be proactive. Learn what others are doing in the industry by talking to your peers. Sign up for cybersecurity training courses and certifications. Gaming organizations can work with partners to implement proactive cybersecurity monitoring solutions that would help turn your employees into your cyber defense team by educating them on the basics of cybersecurity.

Bulletproof’s Melissa Aarskaug wrote an article in a Gaming & Leisure Magazine titled "Cybersecurity Is A Vital Team Sport." The article touches on the importance of cross-functional teams within a gaming organization collaborating closely with the IT departments to fight cybercrime together.

When it comes to cybersecurity, your employees are your defensive line. The truth is that all employees are responsible for maintaining cybersecurity by following training and controls and protecting sensitive data. One click, misstep, or social engineering fumble can be disastrous in terms of cybersecurity – impacting the organization as a whole.

Maintaining compliance and staying cyber-secure is not a small undertaking. The costs associated with staying on top of things in-house can become unmanageable, even for large gaming organizations. Additionally, cyber insurance premiums are rising, and the price of a potential breach may be more than anyone can afford. How can these costs be alleviated?

Outsource Security Assessments and Tests

Just like everything else these days, hiring, training, and retaining the right trustworthy people is a cost that continues to increase. Keeping up with security testing requires time and resources above and beyond a standard IT team.

To eliminate surprise costs and gain access to trusted security experts at a fixed cost, third-party professionals are the answer. Bulletproof’s security experts deliver a comprehensive suite of services, including Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, Threat Risk Assessments, Web Application Assessments, Managed Security Services, and more.

Outsource Regulatory Audits & Assessments To Remain Compliant

In highly regulated industries such as gaming, organizations are investing in certifications to stay up to date with the latest security standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, GLI-33, NIST, etc. These certifications allow gaming organizations to remain competitive by providing proof and reassurance to their customers that they are focused on security and privacy.

For example, the ISO/IEC 27001 standard is one of the most recognized IT security frameworks worldwide. It was developed to create trustworthiness across sectors and to support companies that seek to thrive in the digital world despite facing risks and cyberthreats. Proving this level of commitment and strategy when it comes to cybersecurity is a gold star for your brand.

The multijurisdictional audit required for an ISO/IEC 27001 certification can be helpful in complying with other frameworks and standards such as NIST, COBIT, COSO, ISF, and CMMI. You’ll also reap benefits that go beyond compliance—with a unified audit process, you’ll be able to reduce the related efforts, resources, cost, and ultimately the time-to-market.

Reduce Cyber Insurance Premiums with Proper Security Controls

Ignoring cybersecurity or not treating it seriously can be a major cost. That is why the cyber insurance market is expected to reach over $28B by 2028. Cyber insurance is an important part of an overall cybersecurity plan because even if you are taking it seriously, your gaming organization may be using vendors that are not, opening the network doors to threat actors.

Cyber insurance is similar to home or auto, where premiums increase when the number of claims and severity rise. Some organizations saw reduced premiums when providing proof that they have proper security controls in place via the cyber insurance application. Many insurance providers will not provide coverage unless a standard level of security controls is in place. Learn more about gaming cyber insurance.

The biggest cost of security is the reputational risk when a breach does happen. What value do you place on customer trust and the reputational impact of a breach? It could cost your entire brand.

That’s why gaming organizations turn to trusted partners to help them save costs in the long term and leave nothing to chance. Partners can provide various solutions, such as IT security consulting services which would help you develop and implement a well-designed, functional IT security program— driving organizational efficiency while protecting the integrity and availability of your customers’ assets and information.