Global games developer deploys Continent 8’s Compliance Audit, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) and Vulnerability Scan (V-Scan) services to swiftly meet multi-state regulatory compliance requirements.
Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions to the iGaming and online sports betting industry, is pleased to announce an expanded partnership with global leading Asian game developer, Rising Digital Corporation. Through this enhanced collaboration, Rising Digital has selected Continent 8 as its dedicated cybersecurity services provider.
Rising Digital, a current infrastructure partner leveraging Continent 8’s cloud solution for high-performance connectivity, high availability and uninterrupted uptime of gaming platforms, has established a strategic alliance with Continent 8 to enhance its cybersecurity program and standards. This initiative allows Rising Digital to utilize Continent 8’s complete suite of regulatory cybersecurity services, ensuring full compliance within each US state it operates in.
Rising Digital has successfully launched its cybersecurity program across multiple states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario, to comply with the specific regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction. In collaboration with Continent 8 and its cybersecurity specialist division, C8 Secure, Rising Digital has successfully completed a Compliance Audit and Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) and Vulnerability Scan (V-Scan) services. These comprehensive regulatory cybersecurity services ensure compliance with local regulatory standards and identify potential vulnerabilities, providing actionable insights to strengthen the organization’s overall cybersecurity posture.
Aimin Cong, CEO of Rising Digital, said: “We are delighted to formalize our relationship with Continent 8 for our growing iGaming operations business. With the utmost importance being placed upon compliance, performance and security, we believe Continent 8 is an excellent infrastructure and cybersecurity services partner.”
Patrick Gardner, Chief Security Officer at Continent 8, said: “We are honored that Rising Digital has placed its trust in Continent 8 as its infrastructure and cybersecurity partner as they expand their operations across the United States.
“At Continent 8, we pride ourselves as being a one-stop-shop provider of infrastructure, cloud, regulatory and cybersecurity solutions. Our services enable iGaming companies like Rising Digital to swiftly meet multi-state regulatory requirements, safeguarding their operations while providing peace of mind. We stand committed to setting the highest standards and value for cybersecurity and compliance services within the ever-growing iGaming and online sports betting sector.”
Continent 8 will be at SBC Summit Americas, from May 13-15 at Booth D750. Schedule a show meeting to learn more about the best practices and strategies for your organization’s regulatory cybersecurity requirements.
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
Continent 8’s compliance-driven infrastructure and cybersecurity services accelerate the launch of secure, resilient, zero-compromise gaming platforms
Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions to the iGaming and online sports betting industry, is pleased to announce its continued expansion in the US with the launch of its data center and managed and professional services in Missouri.
Following the approval of Missouri Amendment 2 on November 5, 2024, the Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) is preparing the state for the launch of its regulated online sports betting market, scheduled for December 1, 2025. Continent 8’s first-to-market strategic approach provides Missouri online sports betting operators and suppliers with immediate access to Continent 8’s data center, along with a full suite of best-in-class services that facilitate the rapid deployment of secure, resilient, zero-compromise gaming platforms.
The US continues to be a strategic market for Continent 8, as it remains not only the fastest growing, but only end-to-end solutions provider for the gaming industry in the nation. Continent 8 possesses requisite regulatory licenses, certifications, approvals and registrations across more than 30 states, including Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and now Missouri. The most recent EGR Power US Rankings underscores Continent 8’s position as the premier service provider in the industry, servicing and supporting 95% of the listed operators.
Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder of Continent 8 Technologies, stated: “The approval of Missouri Amendment 2 highlights the continuous growth of the regulated and highly competitive US online sports betting market. We are thrilled to already be engaged with numerous customers and actively preparing their environments for the soon-to-open market.
“Our approach, anchored in regulatory compliance, ensures that gaming operators and suppliers are equipped with market-ready solutions to swiftly establish state-compliant, secure and uncompromising infrastructures, while providing ample time to optimize their platforms well in advance of the state’s launch date.”
For insights into Missouri’s online sports betting market, schedule a meeting with Continent 8 at NEXT Summit New York 2025 (Booth 7), from March 12-13.
LATAM’s go-to infrastructure and cybersecurity services partner provides expert guidance on establishing secure, compliant, ultra-low-latency gaming platforms
Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions to the iGaming and online sports betting industry, will be at SBC Summit Rio 2025 at Stand B220.
At the event, Continent 8 technical and industry experts will on hand to provide insights on complying with Brazil’s Ordinance No. 722, which outlines the specific and essential technical and cybersecurity standard for licensees launching in the Brazilian market. Operators must comply within six months of obtaining their gaming licenses in the Latin American (LATAM) market.
To support Brazil’s launch, Continent 8 offers a state-of-the-art data centre facility in São Paulo, along with a complete suite of services to address rigorous data residency, backup, disaster recovery and cybersecurity requirements. Furthermore, the specific utilisation of submarine cable capacity from Brazil to Portugal minimises latency between Europe and LATAM. By taking this route, rather than via North America as other in-region cloud providers, Continent 8 provides the best support to European operations targeting the region by improving latency by over 40%. This unique, localised support, combined with global planning, enables the regulated Brazilian gaming market to rapidly deploy secure, compliant and ultra-low-latency gaming platforms and operations.
The LATAM market is of considerable strategic importance to Continent 8. The trusted infrastructure and cybersecurity services provider in the region, Continent 8 first launched LATAM and Caribbean operations in Colombia in 2020 and has since expanded its data centre locations and best-in-class managed and professional services to Brazil, Curaçao, Peru and Puerto Rico, with further expansion plans underway.
Luana Monje, Sales Executive at Continent 8 said, “Continent 8 continues its deep investment and commitment to the LATAM market, with the newly established regulated Brazilian jurisdiction being a top priority. We have invested in a new data centre and the provision of customised services to address a comprehensive range of local mandated requirements, including latency, cybersecurity, public/private cloud, AWS hybrid cloud, and more – all with the goal of providing the best regulated iGaming launch and support experience.
“We’re excited to continue this conversation at SBC Summit Rio and explore how we can support your gaming initiatives. Stop by our stand to learn why are the go-to infrastructure and cybersecurity partner, powering and protecting the industry for over 25 years.”
To schedule a meeting at SBC Summit Rio, visit: https://lp.continent8.com/latam-solutions or email sales@continent8.com.
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.
Jerad Swimmer, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, explores the benefits of Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT).
Tribal casinos are experiencing substantial financial growth. As highlighted in my previous blog, 2023 was a landmark year for the tribal gaming sector, with revenues hitting a record $41.9 billion USD, as reported by the National Indian Gaming Commission. Consequently, tribal casinos are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, with reports suggesting a nearly 60% increase in cyber attacks on tribes in 2023.
With significant financial and personal data at stake, cybersecurity in tribal gaming and casino environments is a critical priority. But where should you start? In this blog, I’ll explain why Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) is the perfect first step to bolster tribal gaming cybersecurity.
Let’s begin by defining VAPT. Craig Lusher, our Product Principal of Secure Solutions, describes VAPT as the following:
“VAPT is defined as a comprehensive set of cybersecurity services that helps organizations identify, assess and mitigate vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure, applications and networks. Periodic Vulnerability Assessments (VAs) scan to detect exploitable vulnerabilities in customer networks and infrastructure and record them in a register, prioritizing remedial work and demonstrating continuous improvement. Penetration Tests (PTs) use identified vulnerabilities to further exploit and gain access, testing the efficacy of preventative security measures, procedures and technology.”
By simulating real-world cyber attacks, pentesting enables tribal casino IT and cybersecurity teams to identify system weaknesses and address potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. This strategy not only strengthens the casino environment but also ensures that cybersecurity measures remain robust and adaptable to evolving threats.
VAPT aims to establish what we at Continent 8 call a “hardened cybersecurity posture.”
A hardened cybersecurity posture integrates multiple protective layers, adhering to best practices for adaptability to threats and changes. It begins with technical controls such as network segmentation, access management and encryption, complemented by active defenses including web application and API protection, intrusion detection and cybersecurity monitoring. This approach is guided by policies and procedures for incident response and risk management.
The core components of a hardened cybersecurity posture create a robust defense system. Technical controls prevent attacks, while monitoring systems identify threats. Regular assessments are conducted to uncover vulnerabilities and governance ensures consistent implementation. This comprehensive approach ensures that even if one safeguard fails, multiple other layers remain to protect assets.
Implementing VAPT protocols is a beneficial practice for any tribal gaming organization. These measures not only bolster cybersecurity but also streamline internal and external audits.
By maintaining detailed records of testing and remediation efforts, casinos can demonstrate their commitment to cybersecurity to auditors. This transparency not only aids in passing audits but also enhances the casino’s reputation as a reliable and secure establishment.
Regular penetration testing provides tribal casinos with ongoing monitoring and enhancement of cybersecurity protocols, helping them stay ahead of potential cyber threats. This ensures a safer and more secure environment for both operations and players, while also building trust with internal and external parties and stakeholders. This proactive approach, again, is vital in preserving the casino’s integrity and reputation.
When choosing penetration testing tools for tribal casino and gaming cybersecurity, select tools that offer comprehensive coverage, capable of evaluating a wide range of vulnerabilities across multiple systems and applications.
A comprehensive VAPT service should encompass the following:
For more information on VAPT or to book a meeting with me at TribalHub Cybersecurity Summit or the Indian Game Tradeshow (Booth 18), contact me at jerad.swimmer@continent8.com.
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 – also available on Spotify – to gain a deeper understanding of the technological advancements, cybersecurity challenges and best practices shaping tribal gaming landscape.
With the rapid evolution of technology, robust cybersecurity is vital for enterprises to protect sensitive information and systems from a range of cyber threats, including hacking, data breaches and malware attacks. As technology advances, so do the methods used by cyber criminals, necessitating the implementation of protective cybersecurity measures.
In this blog, Craig Lusher, Product Principal of Secure Solutions at Continent 8 Technologies, explores how Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms and Security Operations Centres (SOCs) allow organisations to adapt to emerging threats, maintain a robust cybersecurity posture and meet regulatory compliance.
SIEM solutions consolidate security monitoring across an organisation’s diverse technology stack, enabling SOC engineers to detect and respond to threats through a unified management interface. SIEM solutions serve as the central hub of an organisation’s security system, collecting and normalising security logs and events from various IT sources including network devices, servers and security systems. They provide a central register for all security events and logs, performing event correlation, threat enrichment and analysis, filtering out informational events and promoting true security events and threats, helping organisations protect their systems from attacks and breaches.
A SOC, or Managed Security Operations Centre (MSOC), such as those offered by Continent 8 and C8 Secure, is a dedicated team that focuses on safeguarding the company’s systems from security threats. Utilising various tools, such as a SIEM system, they watch over the company’s computer systems, spot any problems or attacks and respond to them quickly. The SOC functions as a cybersecurity team, ensuring everything is running smoothly and securely.
SIEM systems are integral in SOC cybersecurity, offering SOC teams with a holistic view of their cybersecurity events.
To begin, the SIEM system correlates and analyses the aggregated security data from internal sources and external threat intelligence to identify any unusual or suspicious activities that could indicate a potential security issue. Upon detection, it promptly alerts the SOC team, enabling them to address the issue swiftly.
In the event of an incident, the SIEM system provides comprehensive information that assists SOC analysts in understanding the nature and severity of the threat. This insight aids in effective response and helps prevent future occurrences.
Additionally, SIEM systems support compliance efforts by generating reports and maintaining logs that demonstrate the organisation’s adherence to necessary regulations. These systems are indispensable for managing security incidents and events, facilitating efficient monitoring, detection and management of security challenges by SOC teams.
Operating a SOC without a SIEM system would be quite challenging. A SIEM system provides the centralised tool required to gather and interpret security data, which is crucial for effectively preventing, detecting, investigating and responding to threats. While a SOC might use other tools and methods, SIEM systems are integral for streamlining these processes and ensuring comprehensive cybersecurity management. SIEM systems employ advanced analytics and automation to filter and prioritise security alerts, preventing the cognitive overload, or alert fatigue, that occurs when SOC engineers manually process a constant barrage of security logs. This intelligent filtering not only reduces the risk of human error and missed security events but also optimises operational costs by allowing SOC engineers to focus their expertise on critical threat analysis and incident response rather than routine log review. The result is more efficient resource allocation and enhanced security effectiveness.
A successful SIEM and SOC strategy begins with defining clear objectives and goals for each system. Essential components of effective SIEM and SOC strategies include:
Continent 8 offers a comprehensive SIEM and Managed SOC solution that addresses critical cybersecurity challenges. This platform provides centralised visibility of your entire infrastructure, coupled with 24/7 expert monitoring and rapid threat detection and response, ensuring regulatory compliance while allowing maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture.
Our SIEM and MSOC solution consists of the following key service components:
Continent 8’s SIEM platform is a comprehensive, multi-tenant solution that gathers and correlates security data across a customer’s infrastructure. Enhanced by AI-driven SOAR and correlation capabilities with integrated threat intelligence tools, it delivers advanced analytics and automated incident response workflows. The platform is built for high performance, scalability and real-time threat detection, ensuring rapid identification and resolution of security incidents.
Continent 8’s MSOC solution is a fully managed, multi-tenant service offering real-time security monitoring and incident response for customers. Following the NIST framework, it leverages our sophisticated SIEM platform to collect and analyse security alerts, offering customers actionable insights and remediation strategies through tailored playbooks. By outsourcing security operations to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) such as Continent 8, customers can focus on their core business while benefiting from the expertise of Continent 8’s 24/7/365 global SOC team.
Continent 8’s Sentinel managed device is deployed within the customer’s network, aggregating logs and events from various systems, normalising them and preparing the data for secure transmission to the SIEM. It utilises encryption to ensure data integrity and privacy, compressing and deduplicating data to optimise performance. Sentinel enhances security visibility by enabling seamless data collection and forwarding.
Continent 8’s Incident Response System integrates directly into Continent 8’s SIEM to streamline incident response processes. It provides a centralised platform for managing and tracking security incidents from detection to resolution, with built-in automation for workflows and playbooks. By enabling collaborative responses and providing real-time data sharing, it significantly improves incident resolution times while enhancing post-incident analysis and reporting.
Continent 8’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Service serves as a structured repository for aggregating, analysing and sharing cyber threat intelligence. It allows organisations to collect data on threats, actors and campaigns, helping security teams anticipate and mitigate potential attacks. Through its powerful visualisation tools, the service enhances situational awareness and enables proactive threat detection.
Continent 8’s Security Orchestration and Automated Response (SOAR) tool, implemented within Continent 8’s SIEM, provides a no-code automation platform for orchestrating and automating security workflows. Its drag-and-drop interface simplifies the creation of complex incident response processes, reducing manual effort and improving efficiency. With pre-built templates and over 2,000 app integrations, it enables quick deployment of automated responses, ensuring consistent handling of security incidents.
Continent 8’s Threat Analysers and Responders are automation tools integrated into Continent 8’s SIEM that enrich security events with threat intelligence from multiple sources. With over 100 analysers, they provide critical context for observables such as IPs and URLs, supporting faster decision-making during investigations. These tools enhance threat detection and response by simplifying data analysis and improving the quality of incident responses.
Continent 8’s Intrusion Detection System (IDS), combined with our proprietary Continent 8 Sentinel platform, provides advanced network security monitoring, threat detection and response capabilities, delivering unparalleled visibility and security throughout your entire network infrastructure.
SIEM and MSOC services deliver significant cybersecurity enhancements through real-time monitoring, detection and response. This proactive approach aids in the early identification and mitigation of threats by collecting, analysing and correlating data from across a customer’s network with other ongoing security events. Collaborating with MSSPs also guarantees access to a dedicated team of SIEM and MSOC specialists who work closely with your IT team, providing playbooks and optimal risk mitigation strategies to address specific exploits or vulnerabilities, thereby ensuring optimal cybersecurity posture.
Continent 8 provides comprehensive, multi-layered threat prevention, detection and response solutions to secure your organisation’s digital assets in the face of evolving cyber threats. For more information on how Continent 8 can support your cybersecurity initiatives, email sales@continent8.com or fill out our Contact Us page.
The year 2024 marked another remarkable chapter for Continent 8 Technologies. Over the course of the year, we expanded our global network, enhanced our infrastructure and cloud services, forged new cybersecurity partnerships, introduced innovative products, launched our inaugural podcast and much more.
Explore below as we reflect on some of our remarkable accomplishments from 2024.
We continue to expand our data centre locations and points of presence globally, with an unrivalled private network of over 100 locations across four continents. Our carrier-grade network, which includes more than 35 global Internet Edge and Internet Exchange locations and over 5 Tb of IP transit capacity, provides resilient, high-performance and low-latency connectivity, ensuring zero-compromise user experiences. We’re equipped to support the growing regulated iGaming and online sports betting sector, covering more than 30 US states and six LATAM and Caribbean regions, including Brazil, an exciting new regulated market.
As the fastest go-to market supplier and the trusted infrastructure and cybersecurity partner to the industry, we power and protect the world’s leading brands, such as bet365, Apricot (formerly Microgaming), BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet, Playtech, Sportingtech and more. We also take pride in being a supporting partner to 90% of the top 10 organisations on the 2024 EGR Power 50 Rankings list and over 95% on the 2024 EGR Power US Rankings list.
We were selected to join the prestigious AWS Solution Provider Program (SPP). Through this AWS partnership, we introduced a suite of managed and professional services designed to simplify hybrid and multi-cloud environments and infrastructures. These new services, available via the AWS Marketplace, include:
This effort is part of our expanding cloud initiative designed to support the varied needs of our customers seeking hyperscale, hybrid, public and private cloud solutions.
To continue to provide the industry with comprehensive 360-degree protection, and meet the increasing market demand as a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) via our cybersecurity division, C8 Secure, we collaborated with cybersecurity specialists to enhance our range of cybersecurity services and solutions.
In 2024, we partnered with MIRACL, a passwordless multi-factor authentication (MFA) provider, to deliver a secure, single-step MFA solution, ensuring the most secure and efficient authentication experience possible. Additionally, we teamed up with Corrata, an advanced detection and response provider for mobile endpoints, to fortify mobile devices against modern security threats, ensuring secure access to corporate data.
As cyber threats became the new normal in 2024, it is unsurprising that we observed a record number of customers adopting our managed cybersecurity services. Sportingtech, for example, has implemented our Managed Security Operations Centre (MSOC) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) services to ensure continuous 24/7 monitoring, prompt threat prevention and rapid response.
In 2024, we marked a significant corporate milestone by meeting and exceeding 300 employees in December, representing a growth of over 20% from 2023. With specialists now located in 19 countries, including our newly established offices in the Philippines, we are dedicated to growing our team to deliver outstanding service and attention to our customers worldwide.
As industry leaders, we are committed to informing, educating and guiding the iGaming and online sports betting community on all matters related to infrastructure, cloud and cybersecurity. In 2024, as an engaged participant in the community, we participated in over 50 industry events, contributed to or led more than 20 industry panels and received 5 industry awards, along with numerous accolades and recognitions for our customer-centric managed services and solutions.
Our enduring presence in the iGaming industry is largely attributed to the strong partnerships we have cultivated over our 25-plus years of operation. Among these is Playtech, a leading provider of platforms, content and services in the industry. In November, we were pleased to extend our two-decades-long partnership, allowing Playtech to further utilise our range of managed and professional services. This renewal underscores both companies’ shared commitment to advancing and shaping the expanding regulated online gaming market.
Shimon Akad, COO at Playtech, stated, “Continent 8 have been our hosting and connectivity partner since the onset of our journey, 20 years ago. Renewing our agreement is a testament to the joint work and success we’ve built together, and I look forward to continuing our strong collaboration for years to come.”
At the 2024 SBC Summit North America, Michael Tobin, the Founder and CEO of Continent 8, was formally inducted into the Sports Betting Hall of Fame. He was recognised for his relentless dedication over the past 25-plus years, driving innovation and fostering growth in the global gaming industry.
Michael expressed his gratitude, sharing, “It is truly an honour to be recognised by my peers, and it’s also a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Continent 8 team.
“I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished, the value we have added to the industry and the ways in which we have empowered our customers and partners to achieve success. The iGaming and online sports betting industry is constantly evolving, and I am excited to see how we can continue to embark on this journey to grow the market together.”
Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware had a substantial impact on the HCI market. As a Nutanix Authorised Service Provider, we transitioned numerous iGaming and non-iGaming customers from their VMware ecosystems to Nutanix HCI environments. Our own documented journey from VMware’s Cloud Foundation platform to Nutanix’s Acropolis and Acropolis hypervisor (AHV) demonstrated the benefits of a VMware-to-Nutanix migration, reducing hardware infrastructure, physical footprint and operational costs, all with minimal disruption and downtime.
In response to the growing need for tailored cybersecurity services and insights within the tribal gaming sector, we launched the ‘Tribal Talks: Cybersecurity Unlocked’ podcast series. Hosted by Continent 8’s Jerad Swimmer, this podcast provides a unique forum for tribal leaders and experts to share their experiences, accomplishments and lessons learned. Through insightful discussions, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the technological advancements, cybersecurity challenges and best practices influencing the tribal gaming industry.
As 2024 draws to a close, we are excited to kick off the New Year with ICE 2025 (stand 2G20) in Barcelona. At ICE, we will showcase our regulatory and compliance-driven hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions, with our industry experts on hand to discuss and explore the latest technological advancements, trends and challenges for 2025 and beyond.
If you’re interested in scheduling a meeting with one of our specialists or joining us for a coffee at our Caffein8 bar, please visit our ICE 2025 page.
Jerad Swimmer, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, explores the remarkable surge in tribal gaming revenues and its implications for cybersecurity.
The year 2023 marked a significant milestone in the tribal gaming industry, with revenues reaching an all-time high of $41.9 billion USD, according to the National Indian Gaming Commission. Advisory firm Wipfli noted that this marked the fourth consecutive year of revenue growth for tribal casinos. This remarkable growth reflects the increasing popularity and expansion of tribal casinos across the United States.
The impressive revenue figures are a testament to the hard work and innovation within the industry, highlighting the importance of tribal gaming as a vital economic driver for many tribal communities. However, with great success comes great responsibility, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity.
As tribal casinos flourish financially, they become attractive targets for cybercriminals. The surge in revenue has unfortunately been paralleled by a rise in cyber threats aimed at exploiting vulnerabilities within these establishments, with one source indicating that cyber attacks on tribes surged by almost 60% in 2023.
Cyber attacks on tribal casinos can range from data breaches to ransomware attacks, each with the potential to cause significant financial and reputational damage. The increasing sophistication of these threats demands a proactive and robust approach to cybersecurity to protect both the assets and the patrons of tribal gaming operations.
Several high-profile cybersecurity incidents have underscored the vulnerabilities within the tribal gaming sector. For instance, a tribal casino recently experienced a three-week closure due to an undisclosed cybersecurity incident. Casino officials advised previous guests to monitor their financial and credit card statements for any potential issues.
Another 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 critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to safeguard the integrity of tribal gaming enterprises.
To counter the escalating cyber threats, tribal casinos must adopt comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. This includes implementing advanced threat prevention, detection and response systems, regular security audits and continuous employee training to recognize and mitigate potential threats.
Investing in cybersecurity infrastructure, such as firewalls and mobile endpoint protection, can significantly enhance the security posture of tribal gaming operations. Collaborating with cybersecurity experts and adopting industry best practices are also pivotal steps in fortifying defenses against cyber attacks.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, tribal casinos can leverage innovative technologies and solutions to enhance their cybersecurity posture and ensure 360-degree protection. Key solutions include:
As tribal gaming continues to thrive, the critical role of cybersecurity becomes increasingly evident.
In response to the escalating threat of advanced cyber attacks targeting tribal governments and organizations, the Department of Homeland Security announced on July 1, 2024, the allocation of over $18.2 million USD in grants to 32 tribal governments. These inaugural grants, issued under the Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program (TCGP), represent a commitment to supporting tribal communities and gaming organizations in overcoming cybersecurity challenges within their digital infrastructures and environments.
By prioritizing cybersecurity in 2025 and beyond, tribal casinos can ensure sustained growth and resilience, safeguarding their revenues and reputation in an increasingly digital world. The path forward involves a balanced approach that combines innovation and vigilance, ensuring the prosperity and longevity of the tribal gaming sector.
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 – also available on Spotify – to gain a deeper understanding of the technological advancements, cybersecurity challenges and best practices shaping tribal gaming landscape.
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.