Jerad Swimmer, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, explores the benefits of a cybersecurity checklist to safeguard your tribal gaming operations against emerging cyber threats and attacks.
Safeguarding your business can be daunting, and you might be asking yourself ‘where do I begin?’ To address this, we have prepared a cybersecurity checklist to help you identify possible weaknesses.
First, let us set the scene with the current state of play and why you need to prioritize cybersecurity in today’s world.
Understanding the current cyber threat landscape in tribal gaming
The tribal gaming industry is a vibrant and vital part of many Native American communities, providing not only entertainment but also significant economic benefits. However, this industry is increasingly falling under the crosshairs of sophisticated cybercriminals. These bad actors aim to disrupt operations, steal sensitive patron data and extort ransom payments. The stakes are high, with the potential impact extending beyond the casino floors to tribal governments, health services and community trust.
Cyber threats in tribal gaming are diverse and evolving. For example, ransomware attacks have become more prevalent, demonstrating a devastating capacity to bring operations to a standstill. A recent notable incident involved a ransomware attack that compromised all internet servers and data, with the attackers demanding up to $500,000 to restore services. These incidents highlight the urgent need for comprehensive cybersecurity measures tailored to the unique environment of tribal casinos.
The impact of cyber attacks on tribal casinos and communities
The consequences of a cyber attack on a tribal casino can be far-reaching. Beyond the immediate financial losses and operational disruptions, there is a profound impact on the trust and confidence of the community. Patrons expect their personal and financial information to be secure, and any breach can lead to a significant erosion of trust.
Key elements of a robust cybersecurity strategy for tribal gaming
To effectively combat cyber threats, tribal casinos need to adopt a multi-faceted cybersecurity strategy. This involves not just technological solutions but also organizational practices and policies. The foundation of such a strategy includes:
- Governance and risk management
- Threat and vulnerability management
- Threat detection & Security Operations Center (SOC) operations
- Incident response and recovery
- Cloud and hybrid infrastructure security
- Security awareness and insider risk
- Compliance and continuous improvement
How Continent 8 can help – “Assume breach. Plan resilience.”
Continent 8, supported by our dedicated cybersecurity company, C8 Secure, is a trusted partner for tribal nations and gaming enterprises. Our cybersecurity services are tailored to meet the unique needs of tribal governments, regulators and casino operators.
Our capabilities include:
- Managed SOC with 24/7 threat detection, SIEM monitoring and alert triage
- Vulnerability scanning using Nessus Enterprise and attack surface management
- Incident response planning, tabletop exercises and breach support
- Cloud security monitoring (AWS, Azure, M365) and configuration hardening
- Phishing simulations and awareness training tailored for tribal staff
- Compliance mapping for GLI-33, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001 and NIGC frameworks
- Compliance services to support cybersecurity strategy and regulatory alignment
- Penetration testing and red teaming engagements
We are trusted by a diverse array of tribal gaming casinos and organizations, including ShowNation, Tachi Palace Casino Resort, among others.
DOWNLOAD THE COMPREHENSIVE CYBERSECURITY CHECKLIST NOW
Don’t wait for an incident to discover whether you’re vulnerable. By taking these proactive steps, tribal casinos can fortify their defenses, ensuring uninterrupted operations and maintaining the trust of their communities.
Secure your tribal gaming operations by accessing this detailed checklist.
Cybersecurity solutions for a safer tomorrow
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.
