How gaming is enjoyed today is very different to how gamers of a previous generation experienced the pastime.
Game consoles may still be the predominant gaming device for many, but innovations have changed how they are used. Players can still enjoy a traditional experience, using discs and playing online with friends or other players worldwide. Still, the latter is continuing to improve and develop with each passing year.
Of course, new technologies have enabled games to connect to the internet and use services such as the cloud. Before, players would be stuck with what was available on the disc and couldn’t experience anything beyond what was pre-loaded. However, the internet’s inclusion and connectivity to enrich gaming experiences have created a demand for enhanced security, especially as cybercrime continues to rise.
Importance of Cybersecurity in Gaming
Gaming has become a prime target for cybercriminals. Due to the continued advancements players are enjoying, several vulnerabilities are now possible for hackers to exploit.
As gaming has become more social, players often share sensitive data, such as email addresses, payment details, and gaming profiles, with others with whom they play and form friendships. This information can be intercepted by hackers, making it potentially valuable for identity theft and fraud. Data breaches can be very common.
At the same time, virtual currencies, skins, and items that have real-world value attract hackers seeking to steal or manipulate assets, leading to scams, fraud, and account takeovers. Some forms of gaming require players to play with real money online.
In-game purchases and subscriptions involve financial transactions, making them lucrative targets for hacking and phishing schemes. iGaming is a notable industry that requires players to pay to play, with games like slots and table games requiring bets to be placed first.
To help combat potential cyberattacks, many gamers use a VPN to enhance their online security. VPNs allow players to mask their online footprint (IP addresses, etc.) and better protect themselves. Players who play with real money opt for a VPN casino because they can access the same features as a traditional option, with the added privacy.
Additionally, using a VPN can let players change their location, making them appear to be elsewhere in the world and providing further protection or bypassing certain geo-restrictions.
What Must the Gaming Industry Do?
There is no denying or ignoring the fact that online play is here to stay. It’s been a permanent fixture for a couple of decades and continues to be a demanded feature for players. As noted, gaming has become more of a social activity over the last decade or so, with the ability to connect to players worldwide helping to facilitate its popularity.
Cloud technology has been at the forefront of these advancements, making the activity more accessible. Cloud gaming allows players to stream high-end games on low-spec devices such as smartphones, tablets, and low-end PCs without the need for expensive gaming consoles or hardware upgrades. This democratises gaming, enabling a wider global audience to participate regardless of their device capabilities.
Players can start games on one device and seamlessly continue on another without losing progress, thanks to cloud-based saved files, adding to the flexibility and convenience gamers demand. It eliminates lengthy downloads and installation times because games are streamed directly from servers, offering instant access to new titles anywhere with an internet connection. It supports multi- and cross-platform play, allowing gamers on different devices to connect and compete in real-time.
Still, these benefits can come at a cost if the gaming industry doesn’t implement the right safeguards to protect itself and gamers. Severe consequences can result, ranging from costly lawsuits to a loss of player trust, causing reputational damage that could be too catastrophic to recover from.
The gaming industry must take several key actions to promote safer online play and protect against cybercrime. These can include:
- Educating players about potential risks and informing them about what not to share online with anyone.
- Providing in-game blocks for specific words or phrases that can potentially be deemed sensitive to a user’s identity.
- Conduct frequent vulnerability assessments to identify and patch weaknesses in platforms, servers, and cloud services before cybercriminals can exploit them.
- Adopt advanced encryption standards, multi-factor authentication, and secure APIs to guard user data, payment information, and in-game assets.
- Partner with cybersecurity firms, industry groups, and law enforcement to stay ahead of emerging threats and share threat intelligence. This will help them stay compliant and ahead of any future regulatory changes.
Cybersecurity can Never Be Overlooked
Given the rate at which technology continues to evolve across the gaming industry, developers cannot afford to overlook or rest on cybersecurity issues. Cybercriminals are using the same tech to gain an advantage and potentially exploit weaknesses and vulnerabilities they may find.
Developers must ensure they are proactive (and reactive when required) when it comes to security; gamers have a responsibility themselves to ensure they are best protected and not make it easy for them to be targeted.
