Explore the critical cybersecurity measures and considerations necessary for safeguarding tribal casino gaming enterprises in an increasingly digital world.

In this blog, Jerad Swimmer, Regional Sales Director at Continent 8 Technologies, discusses the range cyber threats confronting tribal casinos, highlights the most recent cyber attacks on these establishments, outlines the unique specific cybersecurity requirements of tribal gaming and recommends best practices for establishing robust cybersecurity measures to improve their overall cybersecurity posture.

Current cyber threats facing tribal casinos

Tribal casinos are increasingly becoming targets for cyber attacks, with hackers constantly looking for vulnerabilities to exploit. Some of the current cyber threats facing tribal casinos include:

• Phishing attacks: Hackers often use phishing emails or messages to trick employees into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware.
• Ransomware attacks: Cybercriminals may use ransomware to encrypt the casino’s data and demand a ransom for its release.
• Insider threats: Employees with access to sensitive data may intentionally or unintentionally leak or misuse it.
• Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks: These attacks overwhelm a casino’s network, rendering it inaccessible to legitimate users.

To protect against these threats, tribal casinos need to implement robust cybersecurity measures and stay up to date with the latest security practices.

Tribal cyber attack headlines

There have been several tribal casino incidents recently where casinos have been forced to close following a cyber attack.

• A casino in Arizona closed for over a week after a cyber attack caused widespread system outage, knocking out ATMs, credit card systems, electronic door keys systems, phones, TV and Wi-Fi.
• A casino in Washington State closed for three weeks due to an undisclosed cybersecurity incident, with casino officials advising prior guests to “monitor their financial and credit card statements to look out for possible concerns.”
• A casino in Massachusetts lost tribal communications after a ransomware attack penetrated all their internet servers and compromised data, with the malicious actors seeking up to $500,000 to restore services.

Cyber attacks are on the rise and tribal casinos must take these threats seriously to properly safeguard their operations.

Understanding the unique cybersecurity needs for tribal gaming

Tribal gaming operations have unique cybersecurity needs that must be addressed to ensure data protection and operational continuity. These needs include:

• Compliance with tribal, state and federal regulations: Tribal casinos must navigate a complex regulatory landscape and ensure compliance with various regulations concerning data protection and privacy.
• Protection of customer data: Tribal casinos handle a significant amount of customer data, including personal and financial information. Ensuring the security of this data is crucial to maintaining customer trust.
• Secure financial transactions: As tribal casinos handle financial transactions, they must implement secure processes and technologies to protect against fraud and unauthorized access.
• Preservation of tribal sovereignty: Tribal gaming operations are an integral part of tribal sovereignty, and protecting their digital assets is essential to maintaining the sovereignty of tribal nations.

By understanding these unique cybersecurity needs, tribal casinos can develop effective strategies to mitigate risks and safeguard their operations.

Best practices for implementing robust cybersecurity measures

To enhance cybersecurity in tribal gaming operations, the following best practices should be implemented:

• Conduct regular cybersecurity assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities and assess the effectiveness of existing security measures.
• Implement multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to user accounts and prevent unauthorized access.
• Train employees on cybersecurity best practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts, creating strong passwords and identifying suspicious activities.
• Regularly update and patch software and systems to address known vulnerabilities and protect against emerging threats.
• Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorized access.
• Establish an incident response plan to effectively respond to and mitigate the impact of cybersecurity incidents.
• Ensure compliance with relevant cybersecurity regulations and standards and not simply performing Checkbox Security.

By implementing these best practices, tribal casinos can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture and protect against a wide range of threats.

Innovative technologies and solutions to enhance cybersecurity for tribal casinos

As cyber threats continue to evolve, tribal casinos can leverage innovative technologies and solutions to enhance their cybersecurity posture. Some key technologies and solutions include:

• Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDOS): Effective, scalable protection against DDoS
• Web Application and API Protection (WAAP): Safeguarding web applications and APIs
• Security Operations Center (SOC) & Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Maximize security while minimizing efforts
• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) & Managed Detection and Response (MDR): Fully managed prevention, detection and response solution
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDPS): Tools to monitor and analyze your network traffic
• Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT): Identifying vulnerabilities in your infrastructure
• Backup: Complete cloud backup and recovery
• Mobile Protect: Your complete defense against mobile threats
• SafeBait: Simulate and prevent social engineering and phishing campaigns

By embracing these innovative technologies and solutions, tribal casinos can stay ahead of cyber threats and enhance their overall cybersecurity posture.

Let us protect your tribal casino – let’s connect at OIGA 2024!

Learn more about Continent 8’s multi-layered cybersecurity solutions at the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference and Trade Show in Oklahoma City ‘the biggest little show in Indian Gaming’, from August 12-14.

Continent 8’s Regional Sales Directors, Jerad Swimmer and Jamie Garcia, and Principal Solutions Architect, Tony Engel, will be in attendance at Continent 8 stand 1033.

To set up a meeting, visit here.