Data pertinent to players is now as coveted as the in-game currencies themselves. This evolution marks a new chapter for online gaming. Personally, I’ve been observing the evolution of online gaming security for several years now, and it’s now undergoing an overhaul like never seen before. Developers are completely responsible for sensitive custodial player data and now must keep them safe
When it comes to data protection, the gaming industry is left to fend for itself, facing a myriad of challenges. Unlike e-commerce retailing and shopping, games establish more powerful relationships with their customers because users are known to spend thousands of hours in virtual worlds.
Many of the newcomers forget about the prolonged engagement, and that is why comprehensive data protection requires advanced emerging strategies that must be implemented to ensure safety for players’ private data. Sustained vigilance becomes essential as gaming platforms try to provide an optimal compromise between stringent security measures and convenient access to users.
Security Fundamentals Every Developer Should Know
Before delving deeper into the segments of player data protection, everyone needs to know the building blocks that could be secured. Safeguarding player data requires significant attention in case of personal details such as payment methods, game statistics, slots activity, and associated communications as each requires distinct methods of protection.
From the numerous developers I have consulted, most of them seem to believe that only payment data requires protection which in fact, neglects the fact of behavioral data being as equally important, if a different kind, in the wrong hands.
Encryption serves as the most basic form of protection that needs to be followed. This, however, goes beyond simply using the standard SSL or TLS protocols. The designers of the game should think about how the data flows within the entire system.
This also includes how the information is processed by various third-party facilities alongside the communications between the servers and clients, as well as the storage in the databases. The implementation of slots and other similar randomized reward systems within games adds to the complexity, as these systems often wire to separate verification services that require secure data transfer channels while upholding the integrity of gameplay.
Also, when defining the security framework, try to think like a user too. A data leak is the fastest way to erode a player’s trust. I’ve seen skeletons of promising games just collapse overnight because of security breaches, and with entire communities walking away from the games regardless of how enjoyable the core gameplay is.
Regulatory Compliance Across Borders
The regulatory landscape for online games is still disintegrating and dividing itself over different jurisdictions. The GDPR policy imposed by the EU set requirements of a particular level which greatly shaped how countries across the world tend to handle player data.
Alas, new laws placed in Asia and North America along with other regions form a compliance web that developers must follow. These regulations aren’t just red tape; they serve as real safeguards for players.
Although compliance may appear to be an obstacle, especially for indie developers, it does provide protection frameworks which are critical to assist the developer. My motto has always been applying the most stringent policies considering all borders rather than data handling meps on a region-by-region basis.
The revenue risks that flow from failure to comply are catastrophic. Apart from possible monetary penalties, the damage to reputation, loss of access to the platform and the critical path makes compliance important for the operational business of the enterprise.
Building Security Into Development Culture
Technical measures are just part of building boundaries. Cultivating a security aware development culture is just as important. This entails that security needs to be considered from the earliest design documents to maintenance after launch.
In my experience, development teams are best equipped to be productive if they receive adequate security training that also includes non-technical staff like designers, artists, and community managers. Each member should know the security fundamentals relevant to their area of work and the risks associated within their roles.
Regular security audits and penetration testing should be the norm, not an overreaction to an incident. Based on the collaboration I’ve had with the most effective studios, they seem to have strategic partnerships with external security professionals who conduct regular deep-dive evaluations of their systems.
Transparent Communication With Players
Preventive security measures along with periodic audits should be routine actions, as opposed to reactive measures taken in response to an event. The best studios I have worked with have external consultants focusing on information security who review the security of their entire system frameworks periodically.
Preparing incident response plans while preemptively tactically thinking places the organization in a far better position to respond rationally, rather than reactively. This should also provide documents known as ‘templates’ for alerts, predetermined modes of communication, and definitive escalation pathways.
In Closing
Caring for player data is a responsibility and a business strategy for game developers simultaneously. Player data becomes increasingly more valuable relative to the world’s population. So, the gaming industry serves as a goldmine because the stronger the security, the better sustained growth they can enjoy.
The most effective studios cultivate and evolve security consciousness in their operations, and do not consider it an afterthought. Trust can be established along through guarding critically sensitive information, trusting in ongoing proactive protective measures, consistent regulatory adherence, fostering a proactive culture, fortifying industry standards of security during development processes, and open, honest, devoid of censorship communications with players.
