Brace tasked with leading and growing the company’s AWS practice
Continent 8 Technologies, a leading provider of cutting-edge managed IT solutions designed for the global iGaming and online sports betting industry, announces the promotion of David Brace to its executive leadership team.
In his new role, Brace will serve as practice lead for AWS solutions, spearheading the company’s continued expansion and innovation within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) ecosystem.
The news follows Continent 8’s selection as an official AWS Solution Provider under the Solution Provider Program (SPP). This has enabled Continent 8 to augment its AWS portfolio, including Managed AWS Workloads, Managed Hybrid Network and AWS Cloud Migration.
Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder at Continent 8 Technologies, said: “Over the past eight years at Continent 8, David has consistently demonstrated a deep and nuanced understanding of technology, infrastructure, and the regulatory landscape – both on industry panels and directly with our customers. His expertise is widely respected, and this promotion is a well-earned recognition of his contributions.
“David’s elevation to the executive team comes at a pivotal moment for our business, as we sharpen our strategic focus on cloud innovation. He is the ideal leader to drive our AWS practice forward, bringing vision, experience, and a customer-first mindset. With continued investment in this area, we’re committed to delivering AWS solutions that are secure, scalable, and tailored to the unique demands of the iGaming sector.”
David Brace, Chief Alliance & Partnership Officer, AWS, at Continent 8 Technologies, added: “I’m honoured to join the executive team and lead our AWS practice. The iGaming industry is evolving rapidly, and cloud adoption is central to that transformation. Our goal is to simplify the journey for our customers – whether they’re launching in new markets, navigating regulatory frameworks, or scaling their operations globally. With AWS and Continent 8’s combined capabilities, we’re uniquely positioned to deliver.”
Continent 8 has vast experience in delivering AWS solutions to the industry. The company has already delivered 90% of AWS Outposts in the industry to major brands in the regulated betting and gaming market, including FanDuel, Fanatics Betting & Gaming, and Hard Rock Digital.
Meet David Brace and members of Continent 8’s AWS practice at AWS re:Invent 2025, 1-5 December in Las Vegas. To arrange a meeting, please visit https://lp.continent8.com/aws-reinvent-2025 or contact sales@continent8.com.
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.
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 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.
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:
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:
We are trusted by a diverse array of tribal gaming casinos and organizations, including ShowNation, Tachi Palace Casino Resort, among others.
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.
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.
As an AWS Solution Provider, Continent 8 also offers managed services, including Managed AWS Outposts and Managed Hybrid Networking, available via the AWS Marketplace
Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of global cloud hosting, connectivity and cybersecurity solutions for the iGaming and online sports betting industry, announces enhanced AWS support to facilitate the deployment and management of the latest generation AWS Outposts racks, enabling secure, ultra-low-latency hybrid cloud infrastructures.
The second-generation AWS Outposts, announced at the end of April 2025, offer significant performance enhancements over their predecessors, including faster processing, higher memory capacity and increased network bandwidth for on-premises workloads. Continent 8 enables customers to capitalise on these advancements through the following offerings:
Continent 8 has extensive experience with AWS Outposts, having provided comprehensive support to operators and suppliers with the initial generation of rack platforms. Today, Continent 8 is responsible for over 90% of AWS Outposts deployments within the regulated betting and gaming industry.
Justin Cosnett, Chief Product Officer at Continent 8, stated, “Our strategic partnership with AWS, along with our deep experience with the first-generation AWS Outposts technology, enables us to provide the requisite expertise for delivering seamless AWS experiences. With the launch of the latest generation of AWS Outposts, we are well-positioned to manage the betting and gaming industry’s ‘business as usual’, day-to-day operations and IT infrastructure needs, allowing customers to swiftly benefit from the platform’s latency and performance enhancements for their most demanding gaming projects.”
Continent 8 is a Gold sponsor of the AWS Community Day Malta on 30 May and will be running a session on ‘Future-ready cloud solutions: winning in regulated markets’. Contact sales@continent8.com to arrange a meeting at the event.
🚀 Cybersecurity in focus! Our cybersecurity expert, Craig Lusher, kicked off the Information Security Officers Group’s (ISOG) first Technical Briefing Thursday (TBT) of 2025 with an insightful session on “Emerging Cyber Threats: Recommended Defense Strategy.”
As new members of ISOG, the premier infosec and banking cybersecurity group in the Philippines recognized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, we’re excited to share cutting-edge insights tailored to the region’s evolving cyber landscape.
🔹 Key takeaways:
✅ Top emerging cyber threats in 2025
✅ Best practices for securing financial institutions
✅ Proactive defense strategies to stay ahead
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
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.
Our Senior Cloud Solutions Architect Matteo Gabrielli wrote a brief blog of Continent 8’s LATAM marketing and services.
The Latin American (LATAM) iGaming and online sports betting market is growing rapidly, presenting both opportunities and unique technical challenges. As operators and suppliers expand into this market, they face critical decisions about infrastructure, compliance, and scalability. At Continent 8 Technologies, we guide customers through this complex landscape, leveraging our deep expertise in AWS (Amazon Web Services) solutions, on-premises infrastructure, networking, cybersecurity, and iGaming-specific technologies.
One of the key characteristics of iGaming operations in the LATAM market is the approach many customers take to infrastructure deployment. While regulations vary across the region, many operators choose to serve the entire LATAM market from a single AWS location, such as US East (Virginia), US West (Oregon), or South America (São Paulo).
This centralized model, chosen by some of our customers, offers advantages in terms of operational simplicity and cost-effectiveness. However, it also requires careful planning to ensure performance, compliance, and scalability across diverse geographic and regulatory landscapes.
With over 25 years in the iGaming industry and a network spanning more than 100 locations across four continents, Continent 8 brings a unique blend of global reach and local knowledge to the table. Our presence in 30 US states, multiple Canadian provinces, and key locations across LATAM, Europe, and Asia allows us to offer comprehensive compliant solutions.
What sets us apart is our ability to be a single source provider for all regulated locations. Our team has a deep understanding of AWS architectures, on-premises infrastructure, networking intricacies, cybersecurity best practices, and hosting requirements specific to the iGaming industry. This expertise translates into consistent, high-quality implementations across your entire infrastructure stack.
In the fast-changing iGaming and online sports betting landscape, generic solutions often fall short. That’s why we approach each customer engagement with a fresh perspective, considering not just current needs but future growth trajectories.
Our solutions include:
Our cloud offering is purpose-built for iGaming, ensuring regulatory compliance while providing the flexibility and scalability needed in dynamic markets. It’s an ideal choice for operators looking for a fully managed, iGaming-specific solution.
Often, the best solution involves a strategic combination of Continent 8 and AWS resources, optimized for performance, compliance, and cost-effectiveness. This approach allows you to leverage the strengths of both platforms.
For those preferring an AWS-focused approach, we design and implement solutions that take full advantage of AWS capabilities, complemented by our industry-specific expertise.
Our goal is not to push one platform over another, but to architect the solution that best fits your unique needs and growth plans.
One of the most common pitfalls we see in global expansions is the tendency to replicate entire deployments across different jurisdictions. While this approach might seem straightforward, it often leads to high costs, maintenance challenges, and scalability issues down the line.
Instead, we advocate for a more strategic approach:
We break down your infrastructure into modular components, creating systems that can be easily replicated or scaled independently. Crucially, this design considers which components are subject to regulation and which are not, allowing for more efficient expansion into new markets without unnecessary duplication or compliance risks.
We design solutions that centralize core components while ensuring local regulatory compliance. This strikes the right balance between operational efficiency and legal requirements.
The iGaming regulatory landscape is constantly evolving. Our architectures are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing you to adapt quickly to new requirements or market opportunities.
At Continent 8, we offer more than just infrastructure. Our team provides comprehensive support throughout your journey:
Operating across the LATAM region presents unique performance challenges. Latency, data sovereignty, and varying regulatory requirements all come into play. Our approach combines strategic use of the Continent 8 purpose-built network, AWS services, custom content delivery solutions, and optimized network routing to ensure a seamless user experience across the region.
Navigating the regulatory landscape in LATAM requires a nuanced understanding of both regional and country-specific requirements. Our “Regul8 Guardrails” solution embeds compliance checks directly into your cloud infrastructure, ensuring that you maintain regulatory alignment even as you rapidly scale and expand.
Our regulatory affairs team’s proactive approach means you are not just compliant today, but well-positioned for the regulatory landscape of tomorrow. They work closely with our solution architects and account teams to ensure that compliance considerations are built into every aspect of your infrastructure.
The most critical aspect of our approach is the focus on long-term optimization. The infrastructure decisions you make today will have profound implications for your operational efficiency and competitiveness in the years to come.
Our team continuously monitors your systems, identifying opportunities for cost savings, performance enhancements, and architectural improvements. We have helped clients achieve significant cost reductions through strategic workload placement, rightsizing of resources, and implementation of scalable solutions tailored to the unique traffic patterns of iGaming applications.
As you plan your entry or expansion in the flourishing LATAM iGaming market, remember that the right infrastructure strategy can be a powerful competitive advantage. At Continent 8, we bring a unique combination of iGaming industry knowledge, AWS expertise, on-premises infrastructure experience, networking proficiency, and cybersecurity best practices to every engagement.
We are not just here to provide technology – we are here to be your strategic partner in navigating the complexities of global expansion. From initial architecture design to ongoing optimization and support, our team is committed to your long-term success in LATAM and beyond.
Ready to craft a future-proof strategy for your iGaming operations? Let’s start a conversation about how we can align cutting-edge technology with your business objectives. Contact our team of experts at sales@continent8.com, and let’s build the foundation for your success in the dynamic LATAM market.
Learn more about our AWS solutions here.
Continent 8 (C8) is an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Advanced Consulting Partner and has built the capabilities to support customers accelerate the adoption of AWS cloud services. The company required a partner to deliver reliable and dedicated connectivity scalable to requirements. C8 worked to produce a suitable regulated solution to fit the various challenges faced.
The customer is the digital arm of an established brand in the gaming industry bringing their 50+ year history of providing world class entertainment to the sportsbook and interactive gaming world. Their mission is to build and unrivalled betting experience for sports and entertainment fans everywhere.
With a cloud native platform based on AWS technologies, and a regulatory requirement for dedicated in-state transaction processing, an AWS Outpost was the necessary infrastructure stack, connected to AWS regions.
Needing a provider to create a solution which would deliver reliable and dedicated connectivity scalable to requirements, Continent 8 (C8) worked to produce a suitable regulated solution to fit the various challenges faced.
There were multiple requirements to be met from technical to commercial, with an over-riding desire for repeatability through a template solution design:
C8 proposed and delivered a solution using its global network, Network Edge as a Service, and managed edge security products:
“We can offer Network Edge Services (NEaaS) to provide all of the functionality required to connect an AWS Outpost to the internet and to AWS, both private and publicly. Our customer utilised this infrastructure design to meet their vast needs including a regulatory approval solution and low latency, resilient connectivity. The customer now benefits from a regulated, scalable and cost-effective solution.”
Justin Cosnett, Chief Product Officer at Continent 8 Technologies
Continent 8 Technologies (C8)
Founded 25 years ago, C8 is an award-winning, multi-jurisdictional, global network solutions provider that connects, manages, and secures the world’s most valuable information.
The company has data centres and strategic points of presence in over 90 connected locations spanning Europe, the Americas and Asia, and is expanding rapidly. Its carrier-grade network powers some of the biggest brands in iGaming.
With a first-to-market strategy, C8 is currently live in 25 states with future sites planned in the near future, enabling customers to capitalise on the fast-growing market.
C8 is an AWS Select Consulting Partner and as a member of the AWS Partner Network (APN), the company can assist iGaming operators and suppliers with AWS services and solutions. This includes the deployment and hosting of AWS Outposts throughout the US, via an AWS Outposts Enablement Package, which provides a delivery team to lead, co-ordinate and support the deployment from pre-install to go-live.
AWS
In 2006, Amazon Web Services (AWS) began offering IT infrastructure services to businesses in the form of web services – now commonly known as cloud computing. One of the key benefits of cloud computing is the opportunity to replace up-front capital infrastructure expenses with low variable costs that scale with your business. With the Cloud, businesses no longer need to plan for and procure servers and other IT infrastructure weeks or months in advance. Instead, they can instantly spin up hundreds or thousands of servers in minutes and deliver results faster.
Today, Amazon Web Services provides a highly reliable, scalable, low-cost infrastructure platform in the cloud that powers hundreds of thousands of businesses in 190 countries around the world.
Learn more about C8’s AWS Outposts Enablement Package and how we can accelerate your cloud strategy here.
Download the Case Study here: C8 Case Study AWS