Continent 8 Technologies’ Regional Sales Director, Jerad Swimmer, and Principal Solutions Architect, Tony Engel, recently attended TribalNet Conference & Tradeshow.
Here, Jerad and Tony share their key takeaways from the show.
Tony Engel (TE): It was another great event. The show was noticeably larger this year, with considerable growth in participation and an impressive expansion in educational track sessions, which was great to see.
Jerad Swimmer (JS): I absolutely agree with Tony – it was another great event! We had the opportunity to engage with CIOs, CTOs, CSOs, IT directors, IT managers and security analysts, demonstrating active interest from all levels of IT infrastructure and security leadership.
TE: A notable theme from this year’s event was the continued advancement of cybersecurity maturity across the industry. Attendees displayed deep technical expertise and a proactive commitment to implementing cybersecurity strategies, whether it’s security operations centers (SOCs) or vulnerability assessment and penetration tests (VAPTs). I can see the tides are changing, and they’re changing fast, which is great to see through the lens of a cybersecurity professional.
JS: 100%! Cybersecurity dominated our discussions, with significant interest in pen testing, the latest threat detection and response approaches, as well as the real-world benefits of cyber training and simulation methods to strengthen the human element within an organization’s security posture.
It was also interesting to see the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) as a key presentation track at this year’s event. I had the opportunity to attend some of the sessions which explored AI’s role as both a protective and adversarial entity and insights into how tribal casinos can monitor and protect their operations.
TE: As I mentioned earlier, cybersecurity evolves quickly, and this necessitates ongoing discussions with managed security service providers (MSSPs) to ensure the adoption of leading best practices. The increased visibility of cybersecurity as a core presentation track at the conference demonstrates the industry’s commitment to making cybersecurity a strategic priority, which is reassuring to see.
JS: Threat intelligence was a focal point at TribalNet, with tribal organizations actively seeking to integrate this capability into their security frameworks. The tribal gaming community will be pleased to hear that Continent 8 has just launched Threat Exchange – the industry’s first dedicated cyber threat intelligence (CTI) platform. Purpose-built for the gaming community, this platform delivers actionable intelligence, providing tribal gaming entities with exclusive insights into emerging threats. This development enables tribal organizations to now make informed decisions and implement advanced measures to enhance the security of their gaming environments.
If you’re also looking to further the conversation on cybersecurity for tribal gaming, we invite you to visit Booth #4235 at G2E Las Vegas, from October 7-9. Book a meeting today and we’ll be happy to schedule a time with you at the show: https://lp.continent8.com/global-gaming-expo-2025
Continent 8 provides comprehensive, multi-layered threat prevention, detection and response solutions to secure your tribal organization’s digital assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
Download the tribal cybersecurity checklist to start your proactive cybersecurity journey.
Also, be sure to watch the latest episode in our Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked podcast series. Each episode delves into new stories, insights gained, best practices and key developments that are shaping the future of tribal casino gaming and cybersecurity.
Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked
As the iGaming and online sports betting industry faces increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, Continent 8 is proud to launch Threat Exchange – the sector’s first dedicated cyber threat intelligence (CTI) platform.
Below, we answer some of the most pressing questions regarding the solution and how it is tailored for incident response teams, operators, platform providers, B2B gaming technology companies and regulators.
A cyber threat intelligence (CTI) platform collects, analyses and shares information about current and emerging cyber threats to help organisations anticipate, detect and respond to attacks more effectively. It typically includes:
CTI platforms are essential for building a proactive security posture, especially in high-risk industries like iGaming and online sports betting.
Threat Exchange is a managed cyber threat intelligence platform designed specifically for the iGaming and online sports betting industry. It delivers real-time, sector-specific insights to help incident response teams, operators, platform providers, B2B gaming technology companies and regulators detect and share information on emerging threats, sharpen awareness and act with confidence.
Unlike generic CTI solutions, Threat Exchange is purpose-built for iGaming. It leverages Continent 8’s and C8 Secure’s unique position as both an internet service provider (ISP) and managed security service provider (MSSP) in the industry, offering exclusive intelligence, real-time threat correlation and honeypot-driven insights tailored to gaming environments.
Threat Exchange addresses the following critical challenges:
Cyber Threat Exchange’s key features include:
Whether you’re protecting high-value player accounts, monitoring threats during major sporting events or securing gaming APIs, Threat Exchange is designed to meet the needs of the industry. The solution is suitable for:
Threat Exchange offers several tiers, from a community tier with basic access to advanced tiers with predictive analytics and premium add-ons. Each tier is designed to meet different operational needs and cybersecurity maturity levels.
It’s important that businesses take a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity to ensure full protection. Add-on services include:
We’re excited for the launch but we’re already looking to the future. Developments include:
Contact your Continent 8 account manager or visit Threat Exchange to request a demo, explore pricing tiers and see how Threat Exchange can elevate your cybersecurity posture.
Continent 8 Technologies’ Regional Sales Director, Jerad Swimmer, and Principal Solutions Architect, Anthony Engel, recently attended the Indian Gaming Convention and Tradeshow (IGA) in San Diego, California.
At the event, they were showcasing Continent 8’s multi-layered cybersecurity solutions designed to support tribal casinos and their cybersecurity programs.
Anthony and Jerad at Indian Gaming Convention and Tradeshow 2025.
Here, Jerad and Anthony share their key takeaways from the show.
Anthony Engel (AE): Attending my first IGA event was an eye-opener; the scale of the venue and the number of attendees far exceeded my expectations. There was a lot of foot traffic, great content and engaging panel sessions. Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the show.
Jerad Swimmer (JS): I’ve been going to this show for about 20-25 years, and it gets bigger and better every year. The event attracts the right mix of attendees, including tribal leaders, executives, GMs, CIOs, CEOs, CFOs, as well as vendors, manufacturers, lawyers and gaming commissions – essentially everyone involved in tribal gaming. It’s undoubtedly a must-attend event, and it’s always a privilege to be part of it.
AE: Cybersecurity remains a primary focus for most attendees. Similar to the TribalHub Cybersecurity Summit (see the show’s top takeaways blog here), participants were interested not only in Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) but also in more advanced cybersecurity services. These included managed Security Operations Centers (MSOC) and Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM), Endpoint and Managed Detection and Response (EDR & MDR) and mobile threat prevention solutions. We actually had several customers visit our booth throughout the event, sharing their experiences with our cybersecurity services, which provided valuable real-world insights that were well received by attendees.
JS: From an engagement perspective, we noticed that attendees were more interactive, not just with Continent 8 but also with each other at our booth. It was rewarding to witness the exchange of ideas, lessons learned and future outlooks. We frequently hosted impromptu group discussions on the most pressing cybersecurity threats and the best strategies and approaches to address them.
JS: The session was well attended and highly interactive. While there were tribal leaders and operators present, the majority of attendees were directors, executive directors and IT decision-makers from tribal gaming commissions. They were keen on gathering best practices and insights on how best to implement a cybersecurity culture within their own operations and tribal governments.
A special thank you to Emra Arkansas Executive Director of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Gaming Commission, Jason Nichols, Executive Director of the Forest County Potawatomi Gaming Commission and Scott Riley, Executive Director of the Pueblo of Tesuque Gaming Commission, for making the panel session possible.
Jerad alongside Emra Arkansas, Jason Nichols and Scott Riley ahead of their cybersecurity panel session.
AE: As cyber threats continue to evolve, tribal gaming organizations must, as highlighted in Jerad’s panel session, foster a culture of cybersecurity to protect their casino and land-based operations. This ensures that all employees are working towards the same goals when it comes to cybersecurity.
For final thoughts on the IGA event, it was a fantastic experience, and I look forward to attending the event next year. It’s always a pleasure to reconnect with familiar faces and engage with those seeking Continent 8’s guidance for specific challenges or exploring our holistic cybersecurity approach.
JS: It will be interesting to observe how iGaming and online sports betting approvals progress within the tribal gaming community. Cybersecurity is also critical in these applications, and Continent 8 offers a multi-layered approach that ensures robust protection across the entire IT infrastructure, so we’re prepared to offer support across these areas as well.
Once again, we wanted to extend our gratitude to everyone who visited our booth or attended the panel session. If you missed the event and have specific challenges or need information on enhancing your cybersecurity posture, we encourage you to reach out to us anytime.
We look forward to reconnecting with everyone at IGA 2026!
Continent 8 provides comprehensive, multi-layered threat prevention, detection and response solutions to secure your tribal organization’s digital assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
Also, be sure to watch the latest episode in our Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked podcast series. Each episode delves into new stories, insights gained, best practices and key developments that are shaping the future of tribal casino gaming and cybersecurity.
Watch Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked podcast series
Continent 8 Technologies’ Regional Sales Director, Jerad Swimmer and Principal Solutions Architect, Anthony Engel, recently attended the 5th Annual TribalHub Cybersecurity Summit.
At the event, they were showcasing Continent 8’s multi-layered cybersecurity solutions designed to support tribal casinos and their cybersecurity programs.
In this blog, Jerad and Anthony share their key takeaways from the event.
Anthony and Jerad at TribalHub Cybersecurity Summit 2025.
Continent 8 – Proud members of the TribalHub community.
Anthony Engel (AE): The TribalHub Cybersecurity Summit, though smaller in scale, turned out to be an incredible event. We had the chance to engage with nearly every attendee and connect with vendors across various sectors. The event was exceptionally well organized, and its intimate setting allowed for more meaningful and impactful discussions.
Jerad Swimmer (JS): A standout feature of this event was the division of days into presentation sessions followed by an exhibitor segment. From 9:00 to 3:30, Anthony and I attended every session, which afforded us a deeper understanding of the needs and concerns of tribal organizations and how we can support them.
Adding a touch of fun to the event, TribalHub included a bingo card for attendees, encouraging them to visit each booth. Many attendees voiced that this initiative provided them with a deeper insight into Continent 8’s comprehensive threat prevention, detection and response strategies, which they might not have discovered otherwise. We are excited to continue many of these discussions beyond the event.
AE: Given the cybersecurity-focused nature of the event, attendees demonstrated advanced cybersecurity knowledge. We shared how, as a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), we are distinctively equipped to deliver a comprehensive cybersecurity ecosystem from a single source – ranging from DDoS protection to endpoint security, cloud protection and even mobile threat prevention. This integrated approach closes cybersecurity gaps that often arise with multiple vendors’ solutions and offers tribal gaming organizations a singular point of accountability for their entire cybersecurity framework.
JS: Indeed, as Anthony highlighted, the discussions spanned a wide array of cybersecurity techniques and strategies. In my conversations, we explored approaches to Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (see Jerad’s most recent cybersecurity blog on VAPT here), mobile endpoint protection, Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM), Security Operations Centers (SOC), Endpoint and Managed Detection and Response (EDR & MDR), as well as strategies to counter social engineering threats.
AE: From an event format perspective, as Jared mentioned earlier, we were pleased that the event organizers ensured the presentation sessions were accessible to exhibitors. This enabled us to customize our discussions around the pain points identified during these sessions and explore various strategies to address their current issues and challenges. It added an extra dimension to vendor-attendee interaction, which I believe the attendees appreciated.
JS: The summit was an exceptional platform for engaging and exchanging ideas with the tribal gaming community. Networking was a continuous all-day and all-evening affair, extending beyond the event into dinner and lounge conversations that really foster unrivalled relationship building.
Anthony and I are already looking forward to reconnecting with everyone at our next event – the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention! We hope to see you there!
Visit us at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention in San Diego from March 31 to April 3 at Booth 724 to discover the benefits of 360-degree cybersecurity protection for your tribal gaming organization.
Don’t miss the panel discussion “Creating and maintaining a healthy culture in a new era of cybersecurity”, where Jerad will moderate a session with industry experts Frances Alvarez, Emra Arkansas, Jason Nichols and Scott Riley. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into data protection, regulatory practices and proactive cybersecurity strategies for tribal gaming.
Book a meeting at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention here.
Continent 8 provides comprehensive, multi-layered threat prevention, detection and response solutions to secure your tribal organization’s digital assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
Also, be sure to watch the latest episode in our Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked podcast series. Each episode delves into new stories, insights gained, best practices and key developments that are shaping the future of tribal casino gaming and cybersecurity.
Watch Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked podcast series
In December, Michael Tobin, Founder and CEO of Continent 8 Technologies, served as a featured speaker at an exclusive event hosted by Startup Grind Isle of Man.
During an insightful fireside chat titled, ‘How to Build and Run a Global Business from the Isle of Man – and Why?’, hosted by Stephen Trimble, Michael shared valuable insights and personal experiences from his remarkable career.
For those unable to attend, the informative chat can be watched here:
Alternatively, below are some fun facts and the key takeaways from the event.
Michael Tobin, originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, began his career as a Chartered Accountant with a prominent accounting firm after graduating from McGill University. In was in this role that he recognised the increasing demand for data centres, which led him to establish Continent 8 Technologies.
Continent 8 has emerged as a leading global provider of managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity services, delivering world-class solutions to the biggest names in the iGaming and online sports betting industry, including Apricot (formerly Microgaming) and PokerStars.
Continent 8 initially provided infrastructure services to the financial services sector. However, a pivotal moment occurred when an early pioneer in the online gaming space sought Continent 8’s services. This opportunity prompted Continent 8 to pivot and specialise in data centre services tailored to iGaming.
The growth of the online gaming industry paralleled Continent 8’s expansion, enabling them to assist iGaming operators and suppliers in optimising their online support and capabilities.
Continent 8’s decision to establish operations in the Isle of Man was influenced by one of its customers, who facilitated introductions to local government officials and key advisors. These connections were instrumental in positioning the Isle of Man as a central location in Continent 8’s long-term strategic plan. Michael’s initial experience with the Isle of Man was also notably impactful.
Michael shares, “When I came here for the first time, there is something that felt right. That’s when we established a formal entity in 2005 and called it Continent 8. The following year, this is where we would base ourselves.
Today, the Isle of Man remains integral to Continent 8’s success – we have built a state-of-the-art data centre in Douglas and employ a team of over 20 skilled professionals and specialists locally.”
After establishing a presence in the Isle of Man, Continent 8 expanded into Europe with data centres in Gibraltar, Malta and other key iGaming jurisdictions and locations. When regulation permitted (since the repeal of PASPA), they targeted North America, first launching their impressive data centre in New Jersey, recognised as the sports betting capital of the US.
Today, Continent 8 operates more than 100 interconnected locations, with an active presence in 30 US states and operations in all major regulated iGaming jurisdictions in LATAM.
Michael advises aspiring entrepreneurs to strategically align with suitable partners, including mentors and advisors. He underscores the importance of cultivating positive, trustworthy relationships that help move your endeavors in a positive direction.
Michael highlighted, “Find partners and advisers who complement your skills and provide new perspectives. Trust is key, and over time, you’ll learn who you can rely on.”
The Super Bowl has once again set new records for sports wagering. While the final figures are still being confirmed, the American Gaming Association projected an unprecedented $1.39 billion in legal bets on Super Bowl LIX. Sportsbook companies such as FanDuel have already reported a 19% increase in bets compared to the previous year, reaching a new peak of 16.6 million bets from nearly three million active users.
During this historic Super Bowl weekend, Continent 8 Technologies, the leading industry provider of managed global hosting, connectivity, cloud, and cybersecurity solutions, served as the crucial backbone of the Super Bowl’s betting network, enabling the majority of bets worldwide. In this blog, we explore the detailed planning and preparation that support our customers during premier sporting events.
Preparation for the Super Bowl began well in advance of the event. In the last couple of years, we have invested heavily in strengthening our network relationships through our enhanced ‘Know Your Customer’ philosophy. This strategy includes launching and engaging in in-depth discussions at our Customer Advisory Board meetings, investing in executive sponsor programs and maintaining ongoing, insightful and strategic dialogues to address our customers’ current and future needs. This KYC approach ensures the creation of tailored, comprehensive road maps for each of our customers, enabling us to proactively anticipate and meet their needs through key support initiatives and activities, including the Super Bowl event
With the Super Bowl scheduled for the second Sunday of February, we prepared for the anticipated surge in internet activity. Edward O’Connor, our Chief Technical Officer, shares the technical strategy leading up the event. “Our technical preparation began months prior to the Super Bowl. This centred around infrastructure and network upgrades and optimisation – including bandwidth increases in all key peering and IX locations, cloud infrastructure refreshes, among other changes – to ensure an interruption-free operation.”
As the event approached, the team developed a detailed preparation checklist concentrated around five key pillars. The checklist included:
A typical Super Bowl game lasts about 3 hours and 37 minutes. However, our ‘live’ Super Bowl experience lasted over five days, from Thursday to Monday. Our dedicated team managed game-specific operations, while a company-wide communication channel was available for check-ins or service requests.
To enhance our efforts, additional staff and resources were deployed on game day, across multiple global security centres as well as on customer sites, monitoring and optimising network performance in real time.
Continent 8 teams monitoring network activity across our various ‘war rooms’.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, with a score of 40-22, ended without any network or connectivity issues, despite what Edward described as “record-breaking from an internet traffic perspective.”
Long after the players left the field, our team continued to oversee network activity to ensure ongoing stability of all customer operations. Our Major Incident Management ‘playbook’ was crucial, serving as both a guide and a reminder of the need for continuous process evaluation and improvement as we transition from one event to the next.
As the Super Bowl campaign wrapped up, Edward was pleased with the behind-the-scenes connectivity support we provided for our customers. He shared, “The entire Continent 8 team was instrumental in ensuring a flawless Super Bowl experience. This careful, meticulous planning underscored our commitment to delivering a reliable and unparalleled service to our customers, allowing millions of users to place their bets and engage with the event in real time.
“With Super Bowl LIX now concluded, next up for the US sporting market: NCAA March Madness!”
For over 25 years, we have been the leading provider of global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions for the regulated iGaming and online sports betting industry. To learn more about how our best-in-class managed and professional services can power and protect your gaming platforms and operations, contact sales@continent8.com.
Matteo Gabrielli, Senior Technical Solutions Architect, Continent 8 Technologies
AWS re:Invent 2024 showcased a clear direction: hybrid cloud is not just a trend, it’s the reality for many enterprises. Here’s what we learned…
AWS re:Invent 2024 demonstrated a significant evolution in hybrid cloud capabilities. I was particularly impressed by AWS’ commitment to simplifying complex operational challenges while maintaining flexibility in deployment options. The technical sessions focusing on hybrid architectures were especially relevant to Continent 8’s mission of enabling customer success through optimised infrastructure solutions. A key theme emerged around designing evolvable systems that can adapt to changing requirements while minimising operational overhead – a philosophy that aligns perfectly with how we approach solution architecture for our customers.
Several key product announcements underscored AWS’ commitment to hybrid cloud. EKS Hybrid Nodes (EKS-H) represent a significant step forward. As an early access partner, Continent 8 sees immense potential in this solution, which enables consistent Kubernetes operations across cloud and on-premises environments while leveraging AWS’ managed control plane. This simplifies management and ensures consistency.
The announcement also included important networking enhancements for hybrid connectivity, including improvements to AWS Cloud WAN and VPC capabilities. We also saw significant progress in AWS’ effort to unify and simplify their data, analytics and machine learning platforms, building upon S3 as the foundation. This reflects a broader trend toward simplified, integrated operational experiences – a principle we consistently apply in our hybrid architecture designs.
Two overarching themes dominated this year’s re:Invent, highlighting the evolving needs of modern businesses.
Dr. Werner Vogels, CTO of Amazon, introduced the concept of ‘simplexity’, which resonated deeply. It emphasises the need to manage inherent system complexity while maintaining operational simplicity. This balance is crucial for organisations seeking both innovation and efficiency.
The need for evolvability was also a key theme. Building systems that can adapt and scale over time is paramount. This means embracing flexibility, modularity and decentralised architectures to accommodate future changes and growth. Organisations face several key challenges when considering hybrid deployments. These include meeting specific regulatory requirements and ensuring data resides in the appropriate location; balancing investments across on-premises and cloud environments to maximise efficiency and cost-effectiveness; and maintaining consistent operations, security and management across different infrastructures.
At Continent 8, we recognise that while AWS Outposts is excellent for extending the AWS ecosystem and operational consistency to new markets, it isn’t always the best fit. Outposts provides a fully managed AWS experience on-premises, but it can be costly, especially for non ‘top-tier’ customers or those with limited edge resource needs. The expense becomes particularly significant when designing for disaster recovery, which often requires multiple Outposts per jurisdiction.
That’s why we’re helping customers explore cost-effective alternatives to Outposts. By leveraging tools like EKS-H, S3-compatible storage on-premises and other components for networking and compute, we can build tailored solutions that deliver similar functionality and operational consistency without the full Outposts overhead. This approach is particularly beneficial for customers who find Outposts over-sized or cost prohibitive for their needs. At Continent 8, our priority is to find the optimal solution for each customer, enabling and accelerating their success by providing expert guidance and support in navigating the complexities of hybrid cloud.
Ready to modernise your sports betting and gaming infrastructure while maintaining regulatory compliance? As a member of the AWS Solutions Provider Program (SPP), we can help you architect, deploy and optimise your hybrid Kubernetes environment. Contact your Regional Sales Director or our team at sales@continent8.com to begin your journey with us.
Learn more about our AWS solutions here.
Continent 8 Technologies’ Regional Sales Directors, Jerad Swimmer and Jamie Garcia, and Principal Solutions Architect, Anthony Engel, recently attended the TribalNet 2024 Conference and Tradeshow.
At the booth, they were showcasing Continent 8’s multi-layered cybersecurity solutions designed to support tribal casinos and their cybersecurity programs.
Jamie Garcia and Jerad Swimmer at TribalNet 2024
Here, Jerad, Jamie and Tony share their key takeaways from the show.
Jamie Garcia (JG): Following the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) 2024 event, we experienced yet another exceptionally organized and well-attended conference. It’s always a pleasure to reconnect with familiar faces, industry experts and organizational leaders, while also exploring opportunities on how we can shape, power and protect the industry together.
Jerad Swimmer (JS): Absolutely, Jamie! TribalNet was indeed a remarkable event. As one of our primary tribal-focused conferences, and a show I’ve proudly attended for many years, it provides an excellent platform for us to engage directly with new and existing customers and decision-makers who are dedicated to protecting their tribal casinos, enterprises, corporations and government organizations.
JG: Cybersecurity was a central theme at OIGA 2024, and it was front and center in most of our discussions at TribalNet as well. Artificial intelligence (AI) was a particularly prominent topic, with many attendees eager to learn about the latest trends and best practices in AI and machine learning (ML) technologies, especially in their roles for both cyber protection and cyber threats.
Tony Engel (TE): Jamie raises an excellent point about the dual nature of AI as both a tool and a threat. Cybersecurity firms are using AI to help identify risky behaviors, automate mitigation steps and assist analysts in efficient data queries. Conversely, cybercriminals are also exploiting AI and ML capabilities to launch cyber attacks – and at scale! Building robust cybersecurity programs to counter AI-driven threats can be challenging but partnering with managed security service providers (MSSPs) equipped with 24x7x365 Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and up-to-date AI, ML and threat intelligence tools and platforms is an effective strategy to combat these sophisticated threats.
JS: In addition to AI, another key focus at the event was Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT), with numerous TribalNet attendees inquiring about VAPT approaches and solutions for their organizations.
For VAPT, we advise choosing a service that can identify vulnerabilities across your entire organization, including infrastructure, networks, applications and cloud environments. A comprehensive end-to-end assessment allows you to isolate and prioritize security investments for maximum risk reduction. We also suggest regularly scheduled VAPTs to ensure a proactive and continuous evaluation and enhancement of your cyber attack surface area.
Anthony Engel and Jerad Swimmer at TribalNet 2024.
JS: As cyber threats evolve, so must our cybersecurity strategies. AI and ML will remain pivotal in cybersecurity platforms, enabling the most innovative solutions to keep the most sophisticated AI-driven threats at bay.
We also foresee the tribal gaming community continuing to expand and enhance their cybersecurity measures. We are committed to strengthening our relationships with key tribal decision makers to ensure we provide the necessary safeguards for their cyber ecosystems.
And finally, we wanted to thank all the TribalNet attendees who visited the Continent 8 booth to share their cybersecurity insights, experiences and perspectives. For those interested in continuing the discussion in person, we invite you to visit us at the Global Gaming Expo 2024 in Booth 4235 to learn more about how we can support your cybersecurity initiatives. I’m really looking forward to the event.
Book a meeting at G2E 2024: https://lp.continent8.com/g2e-vegas-2024
Continent 8 provides comprehensive, multi-layered threat prevention, detection and response solutions to secure your tribal organization’s digital assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
Also, be sure to watch the latest episode in our Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked podcast series. In this episode, Jerad Swimmer talks with Anthony Engel about cybersecurity challenges in the age of modern AI as cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated.
Continent 8 Technologies’ Regional Sales Directors, Jerad Swimmer and Jamie Garcia, and Principal Solutions Architect, Anthony Engel, recently participated in the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) 2024 Conference and Trade Show.
At the booth, they were showcasing Continent 8’s cybersecurity solutions designed to support tribal casinos in the US.
Here, Jerad, Jamie and Anthony share their key takeaways from the show.
Jerad Swimmer (JS): OIGA is a show that always delivers. In my opinion, it’s a must-attend event. Although I’ve been to the show before, this was Continent 8’s exhibition debut, and it was impressive to witness the impact our company’s presence had on the attendees. ‘Busy’ barely begins to cover it – we were engaged with attendees from start to finish.
Jamie Garcia (JG): Like Jerad, I’ve experienced OIGA before, but I’m thrilled to have been part of Continent 8’s first OIGA exhibition. It’s an event that showcases all the key players in Oklahoma’s iGaming and online sports betting scene. Moreover, the OIGA organization excels at helping people establish and nurture relationships. They add a personal touch that makes you feel like family.
Anthony Engel (AE): This was my inaugural OIGA experience, and it was quite the introduction! The tradeshow floor was busy, and our booth saw such heavy foot traffic that I rarely had the opportunity to walk the show floor – a nice problem to have.
JS: Cybersecurity was the number one most common theme throughout the show. Tribal gaming personnel were exploring Continent 8’s cybersecurity offerings and their various use cases. In a number of instances, attendees reported having cybersecurity tools that failed to function properly, or they experienced delayed and unresponsive support from their current cybersecurity providers. In several cases, attendees had suffered multiple attacks, adversely affecting their cybersecurity insurance standing.
JG: If I were to sum it up, the primary concern among attendees was their cybersecurity level, often asking themselves “How secure are we?”. Attendees were sharing stories of cyber incidents, either personal or from other tribal communities, and were seeking advice on cyber defense strategies, from foundational steps to advanced improvements.
AE: The gaming sector, including the tribal gaming community, is a primary target for sophisticated cyber attacks (see Jerad’s latest cybersecurity blog here). Discussions at the show highlighted various cyber threats such as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS), ransomware and malware, indicating the diverse nature of potential cyber attacks.
Echoing Jerad’s earlier point, while attendees have some cybersecurity tools and measures in place, a comprehensive 360-degree protection strategy is paramount. It starts with Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) and vulnerability scanning (V-Scan), followed by services that safeguard infrastructure, cloud environments, mobile endpoints – and ones that even account for human behavior and potential errors – to ensure the best cybersecurity posture possible.
JS: Cyber threats are ever evolving, necessitating ongoing vigilance to monitor and counteract the tactics of malicious actors seeking to exploit potential vulnerabilities. For over 25 years, Continent 8 has been powering and protecting the iGaming and online sports betting industry. We possess a deep understanding of the evolutionary and innovative technological requirements needed to counteract emerging cyber threats. We invite tribal gaming casinos and organizations seeking to bolster their cybersecurity strategy to get in touch, allowing us to assist them in securing a safer future.
Continent 8 provides comprehensive, multi-layered threat prevention, detection and response solutions to secure your tribal organization’s digital assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
Also be sure to check out our new podcast series: Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked. The podcast explores new stories, lessons learnt, best practices and headlines that shape the future of tribal casino gaming and cybersecurity, one episode at a time.
Watch Episode 1: The Beginning
The online gambling industry has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, driven by the convenience and accessibility of internet-based platforms. However, this surge in popularity has also attracted cybercriminals, leading to numerous cybersecurity breaches that have compromised users’ sensitive data and shaken the trust of users of online gambling sites. In this article, our DDoS expert Craig Lusher reviews the ‘Top 5 Cybersecurity Breaches in Online Gambling Industry’, according to Mac Sources, from a Continent 8 (C8) standpoint. We will highlight how C8’s products and services can help protect customers and provide thought and perspective on the article.
In 2017, a leading online gambling operator, suffered a significant data breach that exposed personal information of over 7 million customers. This breach occurred due to a vulnerability in the systems of the operators, which attackers exploited to gain unauthorised access to sensitive data.
From a C8 perspective, this breach underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, including Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM). These services provide continuous monitoring, detection, and response to security incidents, helping to identify and patch vulnerabilities promptly. Additionally, C8’s Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services can help detect and respond to threats at the endpoint level, further enhancing the security posture.
In 2011, a leading online betting exchange, experienced a major security breach when cybercriminals accessed the company’s database, affecting millions of customers. This incident highlighted the significance of strong password policies and robust encryption methods to protect user data.
This incident highlights the importance of real-time security monitoring. C8’s SIEM systems could have detected the intrusion and the attackers’ lateral movement across the network, enabling a quicker response and potentially limiting the damage. Thus, the attack underscores the crucial role of SIEM systems in early detection and mitigation of cyber threats.
In 2018, one of the world’s largest online poker platforms, experienced a massive DDoS attack, causing widespread disruption to its services. DDoS attacks can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and a loss of customer trust.
C8’s DDoS protection service can help protect against such attacks by identifying and blocking illegitimate traffic, ensuring the continuous availability of services. This service can be particularly beneficial for online gambling platforms, which require high availability to maintain customer trust and satisfaction. There have been many DDoS attacks against the industry since 2018 and in fact some of the largest attack campaigns happened in Christmas 2022 where we mitigated one of the largest attacks the internet has ever seen.
In 2020, one of the largest bookmakers in the world, fell victim to a targeted phishing attack. Cybercriminals tricked employees into revealing their login credentials, gaining unauthorised access to sensitive company information.
This incident underscores the importance of employee training and awareness in preventing phishing attacks. C8 can provide thought leadership in this area, offering guidance on best practices for identifying and responding to phishing attempts, and reinforcing the importance of strong security protocols.
In 2019, an online sportsbook and casino, was targeted in a ransomware attack. Cybercriminals encrypted critical data, rendering it unusable, and demanded a ransom payment for the decryption key.
C8’s WAAP service can help prevent such attacks by providing comprehensive protection against a wide range of web application threats, including ransomware. Additionally, C8’s secure data centres can provide an additional layer of protection, ensuring that data is stored and processed in a highly secure environment.
The online gambling industry continues to face significant cybersecurity challenges. However, with robust cybersecurity measures, such as those offered by Continent 8, these challenges can be effectively addressed. By leveraging C8’s SOC/SIEM, EDR/MDR, DDoS, WAAP, private connectivity, and secure data centres, online gambling operators can protect sensitive user data, maintain trust, and safeguard their reputations.
Regular security audits, employee training programs, advanced encryption techniques, scalable infrastructure, and proactive incident response plans are crucial in defending against cyber threats. By prioritising cybersecurity, the online gambling industry can ensure a safer and more secure user environment.
Continent 8 is committed to helping the online gambling industry navigate these challenges. Through our comprehensive suite of products and services, we provide the tools and expertise necessary to protect against cyber threats and ensure the integrity and security of online gambling platforms.
In the face of evolving cyber threats, it is essential for the online gambling industry to stay informed and prepared. By understanding the nature of past breaches and the strategies used by cybercriminals, we can better anticipate future threats and develop effective countermeasures.
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