Interviews
HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with Dr. Maria Loumpourdi, founder and Managing Director of Made From Within
Reading Time: 7 minutes
In this interview, we speak with Dr. Maria Loumpourdi, founder and Managing Director of Made From Within, a CPD-accredited leadership development provider. She shares her journey into leadership and coaching, the philosophy behind her work, and how evidence-based development can drive real change—particularly in high-growth sectors like iGaming.
What originally sparked your interest in leadership development and coaching? Was there a defining moment that set you on this path?
The spark started very early. As a kid, I was always very curious and loved learning, but more than that, I loved sharing what I learned. I even remember trying to memorise a 24-volume encyclopaedia just so I could drop interesting facts into conversations. Looking back, that passion for learning and helping others grow was always there.
When it came time to choose a university path, education felt like the natural choice. I loved it (and still do), but I quickly started to feel uneasy about how rigid the school system is. More often than not, we teach what’s prescribed, not necessarily what kids want or need to learn. That made me think more seriously about adult education, where people have more agency in their development and are often more personally invested.
That decision led me to corporate learning and development. I started in the Learning & Development department of an iGaming company, and within a year, I moved into a leadership role heading L&D in the manufacturing sector. That role gave me hands-on experience in managing teams and developing as a leader myself. By that time, I had already completed a master’s in educational leadership and had been accepted into a doctoral programme. At that point, I already knew my research would focus on leadership development.
Another key realisation came when I started developing leaders. I began to see that while training is a necessary first step, it cannot, on its own, lead to lasting behavioural change. That’s when I realised coaching was the missing piece; it’s what helps people truly internalise and apply what they’ve learned. I became an accredited coach and eventually a coaching supervisor (a coach of coaches), and that shifted how I approached development.
Everything came together when I completed my doctorate and published my book, Leaders Made From Within. That was an important moment for me because it also marked the launch of my company, Made from Within. It was the point where everything aligned: my love for learning, leadership, developing others, and the belief that real change (whether individual or organisational) comes from within.
Made From Within is CPD-accredited and globally active. What inspired you to start it, and what impact are you most proud of so far?
Made From Within wasn’t a business idea; it was the result of over a decade of real-world experience, empirical research, and a deep understanding of what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to leadership and organisational development. I spent many years building my expertise, holding senior roles in international organisations, and seeing firsthand what drives real performance and sustainable business growth. Just as importantly, I saw the common patterns that hold people and businesses back. Many of the lessons I learned (both the successes and the hard-won mistakes) shaped the foundation of Made From Within.
I started Made From Within because I wanted to offer something practical, evidence-based, and rooted in real experience; instead of unsupported theories, popular opinions, or trends. The leadership and personal development space is currently crowded, and I was very intentional about two things: 1. making sure that my background clearly shows I am not another self-proclaimed guru on social media, and 2. ensuring this wasn’t just another one-size-fits-all offering. At Made From Within, we don’t do off-the-shelf. We work closely with clients to understand their goals, context, and challenges, then build tailored solutions that reflect their reality. We’ve also developed CPD-accredited programmes for individuals and teams who want to grow in a structured and credible way.
What I’m most proud of is how much we’ve achieved in such a short time. Made From Within has already supported leaders and teams across organisations and industries, enabling behavioural and organisational change. We’re now expanding access by offering our accredited courses directly through our website, which allows more people to develop themselves on their own terms, and at their own pace.
Your career spans several industries—from banking and manufacturing to iGaming. What pivotal experiences have shaped your leadership philosophy?
While some leadership challenges (like earning trust, managing conflict, or leading through change) are universal, I’ve found that every industry comes with its own unspoken rules and unique pressures. The culture portrayed on the company website is rarely (if ever) the full picture. Experiencing these differences first-hand has taught me that effective leadership isn’t about following one fixed approach. It’s about learning when to listen, when to challenge, and how to earn credibility in novel environments.
One of the experiences that shaped my approach happened in my very first week as a department head in the manufacturing sector. I was asked to represent the function in a customer audit, even though I had just stepped into the role and barely had any exposure to the industry or the company. During the audit, the client questioned how certain KPIs were calculated. I hadn’t prepared the presentation and didn’t have the answer. It would’ve been easy (and probably expected) to say, “I’m new”, or shift the blame to the person who created it. But I saw it as an opportunity to lead.
I admitted I didn’t have the answer at that moment and promised to come back with it by the end of the day. When I approached the team member who had prepared the figures, they told me they couldn’t remember. This person was already on their way out of the company, having previously received feedback that they weren’t ready for the role I had stepped into. Still, I didn’t point fingers. I worked with the team to find the answer, verified the data, and returned to the client with a clear explanation. We earned the client’s trust, salvaged the audit, and celebrated with the team despite the initial mistake.
That experience grounded one of the core principles of my leadership philosophy: when you lead, you take ownership. You don’t blame others, you don’t throw people under the bus, and you don’t step back when things go wrong. If you’re in a leadership role, you take responsibility and step up even when it’s not directly your fault. That’s the kind of leader I’ve worked to be across every industry I’ve been part of.
In iGaming, rapid growth often outpaces structured development. How can coaching help companies build stronger leadership pipelines during periods of scale?
In iGaming, growth often happens so quickly that people find themselves in leadership roles before they’ve had the time (or the opportunity) to develop the skills or confidence to lead. Coaching helps bridge that gap. It provides a safe space for new and emerging leaders to speak openly about their challenges, reflect on their behaviours, set development goals for themselves and their teams, and work toward those goals with a coach acting as both a thinking partner and an accountability partner.
It’s just as valuable for senior leaders. Coaching can help them build executive presence and avoid slipping into autopilot decision-making, which, in a fast-paced environment like iGaming, can have serious long-term consequences for both individuals and the business.
I’ve seen the impact of coaching firsthand. I’ve worked with people who were on performance improvement plans (essentially on their way out), and within six months, they were promoted into leadership roles. What changed? Their mindset, their behaviour, how they communicated, how they built relationships, and how they demonstrated their competence. Coaching made that shift possible.
Coaching meets people where they are, which is exactly what’s needed during periods of rapid scale. Especially in iGaming, where employee turnover often reaches or exceeds 30% (meaning one in three employees leave each year) offering coaching, even as a smaller operator or supplier, can be the difference between losing talent (often to competitors) and building a strong leadership pipeline.
What advice would you give to iGaming companies looking to invest in leadership development for the first time? Where should they start?
My key piece of advice is this: don’t buy off-the-shelf leadership development programmes. Every year, over $360 billion is invested on leadership development globally, but only 10–20% of that has a measurable return on investment. The reason? Most programmes aren’t tailored to the actual needs of the business and its leaders.
If you want real impact, you need to start with a proper analysis of your organisation’s current leadership needs and challenges. Get clear on what effective leadership looks like in your organisation, involve senior leadership teams from the beginning, and design a programme that fits; not just something that looks good on paper. When done right, tailored programmes can achieve up to 10x the ROI.
In my book Leaders Made From Within: The Blueprint for Developing Leadership in Individuals and Organisations, I share the 5D Leadership Development Process (Define, Design, Deliver, Deploy, and Debrief), a model grounded in my doctoral research. It’s a practical, evidence-based process to building leadership capability, and it’s especially relevant for high-growth sectors like iGaming.
What skills or leadership traits are most important for success in iGaming—and how can coaching help develop them?
Success in iGaming requires a combination of leadership skills due to the industry’s fast pace, volatility, and competitiveness. In my experience developing talent in this industry, some of the most critical skills include:
- Self-awareness and self-regulation: Leaders need to manage themselves under pressure and stay grounded. Coaching supports this by helping individuals recognise patterns, triggers, and habits; and understand how these affect their performance and relationships in a structured way.
- Building relationships and networks: In a fast-moving and relatively young industry, strong cross-functional collaboration is essential. Coaching helps leaders improve their communication, influencing, and trust-building skills, especially when leading international teams where alignment is harder to achieve.
- Creativity and innovation: iGaming leaders often face ambiguous situations without a clear playbook. Coaching provides space to step back, think differently, challenge assumptions, and explore new solutions, which is something daily operations rarely allow time for.
- Decision-making: Rapid scaling requires leaders who can make informed, timely decisions without having all the answers. Coaching helps leaders gain clarity, improve their judgment, overcome indecision, and build confidence in high-stakes or complex situations.
- Business acumen: Leaders need a broader understanding of how the business operates, not just within their own function. Coaching encourages a more strategic mindset by connecting day-to-day decisions to long-term business outcomes. For example, a commercial leader should understand product development, and vice versa. Everyone needs at least a baseline understanding of the financial and regulatory side of the business.
In short, coaching develops these skills not through theory, but through structured reflection, real-world application, accountability, and feedback.
The post HIPTHER Community Voices: Interview with Dr. Maria Loumpourdi, founder and Managing Director of Made From Within appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Izabel Hakim, Head Project Manager at 7777 gaming, joins us for an exclusive conversation ahead of HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress – HIPTHER Warsaw Summit 2025.
A recognized professional with a strong background in Product Development and Business Management, Izabel has nearly a decade of leadership experience in the iGaming sector. At 7777 gaming, she plays a pivotal role in driving product innovation across the company’s two key verticals: lottery and online casino.
As a General Sponsor of EGC 2025, 7777 gaming will showcase its cutting-edge iLottery solutions and 200+ game portfolio, reflecting its mission to create games for every player, niche, and taste.
Izabel, as Head Project Manager at 7777 gaming, you’ve been shaping product development in both lottery and online casino. From your perspective, how is iLottery evolving today, and why is it becoming such a central pillar of iGaming?
iLottery has evolved far beyond its traditional image of paper tickets and live draws. What we’re seeing today is the transformation of lottery into a dynamic, digital-first experience, one that resonates with modern players who value interaction, instant results, and engagement.
At 7777 gaming, we see iLottery as a bridge between tradition and innovation. It retains the thrill of chance that people love, but now enhanced with engaging visuals, storytelling, and personalized digital features. This evolution makes iLottery not just another vertical, but a central pillar of iGaming’s future, one that connects generations of players through technology and creativity.
7777 gaming is known for its bold creativity – from cinematic storytelling and unique mechanics to the expansive 7777 Multiverse. How do these innovations translate specifically into your iLottery products?
Creativity is our universal language, it flows through everything we create. The 7777 Multiverse isn’t just a feature, it’s a philosophy that connects our entire portfolio. Within iLottery, that means moving beyond static experiences and turning every game into a journey.
We weave storytelling and visual immersion into lottery formats that feel alive, games where the player isn’t just waiting for numbers but engaging with dynamic worlds, symbols, and rewarding mechanics. Our goal is simple: To make every draw feel like part of a bigger, evolving adventure. You can already see that spirit in one of our newest fully customizable Raffle Lottery products.
Only five years after launching, 7777 gaming is certified in 14 regulated jurisdictions and continues to expand globally. How does compliance ensure your iLottery solutions fit the specific needs of each market?
Compliance is one of our strongest assets. We don’t view it as a limitation, we see it as the framework that allows sustainable innovation to thrive. Every product we build is designed with regulation in mind from day one, ensuring that creativity and compliance evolve hand in hand.
When working with lotteries, the regulatory landscape can be even more complex, as in many cases the country itself is the regulatory body. That’s where our experience truly shines. We’ve successfully customized our iLottery solutions for national operators such as the National Lottery in Moldova, Azerloterya, the National Ukrainian Lottery, and others, each with its own technical, legal, and local specifics.
This hands-on experience enables us to adapt quickly to diverse jurisdictions while maintaining the creative quality, reliability, and security that define 7777 gaming. Our compliance-first mindset ensures that wherever our partners operate, our products not only meet the highest standards but also deliver the same trusted, engaging experience to every player.
Lottery has traditionally been seen as more static compared to casino gaming. How are you and your team reimagining iLottery to make it more engaging for the next generation of players?
We’re reimagining iLottery as something vibrant, social, and interactive, but also as a bridge between traditional and digital play. Many players are still accustomed to the offline lottery experience, so our goal is to guide that transition online by offering products that feel familiar, yet reimagined with fresh, engaging, and interactive twists that keep them playing longer.
Our strategy is built on variety and adaptability. We offer everything from instant win games and keno, to bingo, raffle lotteries, and themed or localized content tailored to specific markets with over 70 games for our lottery vertical. This range ensures that every player, whether they’re just discovering iLottery or already part of the digital ecosystem, can find something that resonates with their habits and preferences.
It’s all about giving players agency, connection, and excitement. We want iLottery to feel not just like a game of chance, but an evolving experience that fits naturally into how people play, connect, and engage today.
Community engagement and mentorship are passions you’ve personally championed. How do these values influence the way 7777 gaming develops products and connects with players in the iLottery space?
I’ve always believed that great products come from great teams, and great teams are built on trust, mentorship, and shared curiosity. At 7777 gaming, we nurture that culture through open collaboration, cross-functional creativity, and constant learning. Every project is a collective effort, shaped by diverse ideas and perspectives.
This mindset directly influences how we build our iLottery products. When your team feels empowered and inspired, it reflects in the final result – games that are thoughtful, well-crafted, and full of personality. It’s that internal synergy that allows us to consistently innovate and deliver experiences that stand out in the market.
Looking ahead, what can we expect next from 7777 gaming in the iLottery vertical? Are there particular innovations, markets, or partnerships that excite you most as you expand further?
The next phase of our lottery journey is all about personalization and deeper player engagement. We’re using data-driven insights to understand what excites players most and to craft experiences that truly speak to their preferences, blending the best of both verticals we work with – lottery and casino into fresh, hybrid formats that feel modern and intuitive.
We’re also entering new regulated markets and strengthening strategic partnerships that reflect our vision of responsible, engaging, and borderless entertainment. The opportunities ahead are exciting and 7777 gaming will continue to set new standards for innovation and creativity in future.
Thank you, Izabel, for sharing your insights on how 7777 gaming is redefining iLottery with innovation, compliance, and a people-first approach. We look forward to hearing more from you on stage at the European Gaming Congress 2025!
Join us at the European Gaming Congress 2025 | 30–31 October | Warsaw
Meet 7777 gaming and discover how they’re shaping the future of iLottery and iGaming.
The post Shaping the Future of iLottery: 7777 gaming’s Izabel Hakim on Innovation and Engagement appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AI in iGaming
Future-Ready iGaming: Denis Kosinsky, COO of NuxGame, Discusses AI, Innovation, and Scalable Growth
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Denis Kosinsky, Chief Operating Officer at NuxGame, joins us for an exclusive conversation ahead of HIPTHER’s European Gaming Congress 2025.
NuxGame, a leader in delivering powerful B2B iGaming solutions from turnkey casinos and sportsbooks to crypto gaming and modular aggregation, is a General Sponsor of this year’s Congress. With expertise spanning AI personalization, blockchain integration, and real-time analytics, Denis will bring his insights to the EGC panel “Leveraging AI for Competitive Advantage.”
Denis, as COO of NuxGame, you coordinate strategic growth and product innovation. What do you see as the most urgent priorities for iGaming operators today?
From our daily work with operators, we see personalization as one of the most urgent priorities in iGaming today. Players expect the same tailored experience they get from platforms like Netflix or Spotify, where everything feels made just for them the moment they log in. We work closely with our operators to make that possible. Whether it’s helping a slot-focused brand surface the right providers or enabling personalized campaigns by player behavior, our goal is to shorten the path from idea to go-live. With access to more than 16,500 games from over 130 providers, integrated loyalty and tier systems, and advanced analytics, operators can test, optimize, and launch personalized experiences quickly without heavy development cycles. This speed to market is critical. When operators can react fast and deliver relevant content at the right time, players stay engaged, retention grows, and brand loyalty follows naturally. That’s exactly where we focus on helping our partners move fast, personalize smarter, and scale sustainably.
NuxGame offers a multitude of solutions: casino, sportsbook, crypto integration, game aggregator. How do you make sure that your platform stays modular and scalable, and still manage to provide a stable experience for operators and players?
Our platform is built on a modular architecture that allows each business unit such as sportsbook, casino, payments, and back office to operate independently while remaining fully connected within a unified ecosystem. This structure ensures a stable and consistent experience for both players and operators, even when new features are introduced or updates are deployed. Each module can be developed, scaled, or maintained separately, which improves reliability and reduces the risk of system-wide issues. Through standardized APIs and controlled data flows, the business units collaborate efficiently while maintaining autonomy, ensuring high performance and a seamless experience across all platform components.
You’ll be joining the panel on AI in iGaming. How do you see artificial intelligence transforming the industry in the next few years – particularly in areas like player personalization, fraud detection, and operational efficiency?
AI is already reshaping iGaming in powerful ways. In fraud detection, it can uncover complex behavior patterns that traditional monitoring often misses, such as linked accounts or unusual bonus activity. These systems continuously learn from platform data, helping operators reduce losses and improve security. Predictive models are also becoming key in decision-making. They forecast player lifetime value, churn risk, and engagement potential, allowing operators to act early with targeted campaigns or retention offers. The same technology supports smarter CRM and marketing, helping teams focus on the players who matter most. Operationally, AI is improving efficiency through automated KYC verification, odds monitoring, and compliance checks. New AI agents now assist with platform configuration and content generation, enabling faster creation of campaigns, layouts, and recommendations. For players, AI brings true personalization. Instead of hundreds of random games, they see the few most relevant titles, offers, and providers. Operators who apply these capabilities effectively will build deeper engagement, trust, and long-term loyalty.
Gamification and blockchain are big parts of the NuxGame strategy. Could you share how these technologies are boosting engagement and retention for your clients?
Gamification and blockchain are redefining how operators drive engagement and retention, and at NuxGame we focus on turning every interaction into a reason for players to stay active. Our Achievements system rewards players for meaningful actions such as first deposits, login streaks, or consistent gameplay, while event-based notifications deliver these rewards at the right moment to sustain excitement. We extend engagement even further with loyalty programs, leaderboards, and platform chat that connects players directly within the gaming environment. Players can celebrate live wins, share achievements, and compete in real time, creating a social layer that strengthens the overall experience. Another popular feature is Spin Wheel, where operators can offer customized rewards ranging from free spins to bonus credits or unique prizes. It adds instant gratification and keeps players returning for another chance to win. Blockchain technology completes this ecosystem by powering fast, secure Web3 wallet onboarding and transparent crypto transactions, building player confidence from the very first interaction. Together, these features create a seamless, rewarding, and community-driven experience that keeps players engaged and operators growing.
With over 16,500+ games from 130+ providers on your platform, content aggregation is obviously your strength. How do you build partnerships that keep your portfolio diverse, compliant, and competitive?
Our goal at NuxGame is to provide operators with the same experience they would have if they integrated directly with each individual game provider, while delivering a much higher level of efficiency, automation, and control. What makes us different is not only the scale of our portfolio, with more than 16,500 games from over 130 providers, but the quality and depth of data we deliver for every game. We go beyond simple content aggregation by sending complete and enriched game metadata through our API. This includes detailed information such as bonus exposure, available provider promotions, tournament participation, and automated big-win checks. Most providers do not share this level of data, which makes it a key advantage for our partners. By providing it through the API, we eliminate a large amount of manual work for operators, simplify campaign management, and allow instant personalization and reporting. It is not just about having a large and diverse game portfolio. It is about giving operators the tools and real-time data they need to create dynamic, localized player experiences and make smarter business decisions. This is the foundation of our approach at NuxGame and what defines us as a true technology partner rather than just an aggregator.
NuxGame has been a pioneer in cryptocurrency integration. How do you balance the opportunities of Web3 with the obstacles of regulation, security, and user adoption in gaming?
Crypto and Web3 offer huge opportunities for iGaming, but success depends on security, compliance, and user experience. At NuxGame, we built our crypto solution to feel familiar to users of leading exchange platforms, with seamless wallet connections, real-time balances, and instant transactions. The system supports BTC, ETH, USDT, and other major assets, with Web3 wallet integration and direct crypto purchases for fast onboarding. For operators, it delivers built-in fraud prevention, risk monitoring, and compliance-ready reporting. This combination of trust, speed, and intuitive UX makes crypto adoption easy for players and expansion safe for operators.
So what’s next for NuxGame? Are there particular markets or partnerships you’re most excited about as you continue to expand?
We are putting a strong focus on the US market, particularly on enabling operators to launch faster within the sweepstakes model. This segment is growing rapidly but comes with complex regulatory and technical requirements. NuxGame is fully prepared for it with dual-currency logic, built-in compliance automation, and a complete payment orchestration layer that eliminates the typical setup delays operators face. Our platform provides a ready-made, legally tested foundation, so clients can go live without spending months on integrations or legal reviews. Combined with affiliate management, engagement tools, and modular scalability, operators can focus on growth rather than setup. The sweepstakes model is a major opportunity in the US, and our goal is to make NuxGame the go-to solution for fast, compliant, and profitable entry into that market.
Thank you, Denis, for sharing your vision and perspective on how technology is shaping the future of iGaming. We’re excited to hear more from you live on stage at the European Gaming Congress 2025!
Join us at the European Gaming Congress 2025 | 30–31 October | Warsaw
Secure your spot, connect with NuxGame, and discover how leading innovators are redefining the industry.
The post Future-Ready iGaming: Denis Kosinsky, COO of NuxGame, Discusses AI, Innovation, and Scalable Growth appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Alea
HIPTHER Community Voices: It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Interview with Product Principal of Secure Solutions at Continent 8 Technologies, Craig Lusher
Reading Time: 5 minutes
October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global initiative dedicated to promoting online safety and equipping enterprises with the knowledge needed to mitigate cyber threats.
To recognise this important occasion, we connected with Continent 8 Technologies – widely recognised as the trusted cybersecurity partner for the iGaming sector. In this Community Voices feature, we speak with Craig Lusher, Product Principal of Secure Solutions at Continent 8, as he shares expert perspectives on the evolving cybersecurity landscape within the iGaming and online sports betting industry, including emerging challenges, opportunities, and industry-leading best practices.
How have cyber threats changed in the iGaming world lately?
Historically, most attacks were single-vector events focused on individual organisations. Today, we are seeing a marked increase in complex, coordinated threats. For instance, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are often used to divert attention from concurrent credential stuffing attempts, and large-scale campaigns now target multiple entities – such as land-based casinos and online sportsbooks – simultaneously. Threat actors employ layered techniques to conceal their true objectives, executing multifaceted attacks across diverse groups.
Social engineering has emerged as one of the most prominent and rapidly evolving risks. Phishing techniques such as email scams, fake websites, text messaging or SMS and fraudulent voice calls have advanced significantly with the development of sophisticated AI language models and automation tools, empowering attackers to convincingly impersonate individuals or organisations. The capabilities of modern AI mean that realistic voice messages and video representations can now be created within minutes, underscoring the pressing need for organisations to enhance their security posture and maintain robust vigilance across all digital channels.
Are there any weak spots in the iGaming industry – like certain countries or regulations – that make it easier for cybercriminals to attack?
Jurisdictions with more rigorous cybersecurity regulations often see operators and suppliers achieving a higher standard of cyber resilience. However, one of the challenges that the industry faces is that regulatory frameworks are often inconsistent, particularly in multi-jurisdictional markets. For example, in the US, each state maintains its own regulatory body, resulting in varying cybersecurity standards across state lines. Gaming operators and suppliers should strive to not only meet but exceed regulatory requirements wherever possible.
We are also seeing a notable increase in third-party vulnerabilities within the iGaming and online sports betting industry. This sector operates within a highly interconnected environment, where the integration of third-party partner software and APIs can pose potential security risks. For example, our customer Alea leverages a single API integration, this helps reduce their attack surface area to introduce standardisation. Through our comprehensive suite of cybersecurity assessment services, we have partnered closely with Alea to test their infrastructure.
Learn more about the partnership here:
What are some of the best ways iGaming companies are protecting themselves from hackers today? Are there rules or systems we follow to stay safe?
To strengthen the cybersecurity posture of iGaming and online sports betting platforms, organisations must shift from a reactive response model to a proactive, defence-in-depth strategy. Rather than waiting for vulnerabilities to be exposed within systems, platforms or personnel, it is imperative to anticipate and mitigate risks through structured, preventative measures. Key best practices include:
- Conducting regular security audits and comprehensive risk assessments
- Utilising advanced threat detection and response technologies
- Establishing and maintaining well-documented procedures for identifying, responding to, and recovering from cyber incidents
- Providing continuous cybersecurity training and awareness programmes for all personnel
- Equipping staff to recognise phishing campaigns, social engineering techniques, and other prevalent attack vectors
- Enforcing timely software updates, effective patch management, and strong authentication protocols such as multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Enhancing supply chain security by rigorously evaluating and monitoring third-party vendors and partners
- Investing in next-generation technologies and methodologies to address emerging threats, especially in the context of developments in AI and artificial general intelligence (AGI)
- Ensuring strict compliance with all relevant cybersecurity regulations and standards, moving beyond a checkbox approach to security
These initiatives establish a resilient security foundation, enabling organisations to effectively mitigate risks in an evolving threat landscape.
How can new technologies like AI or machine learning help detect suspicious activity, prevent fraud, or keep the platform safe for players?
Artificial intelligence is enabling threat actors to increase the speed, scale and effectiveness of their attacks – malicious actors are leveraging AI to rapidly identify vulnerabilities, automate exploit generation, develop advanced malware that evades detection and execute attacks on a global scale.
The good news is that AI is also a powerful ally for cybersecurity teams that can be used to counter these threats. Strategic applications include:
- Deploying AI-driven threat detection for real-time identification of security incidents
- Automating incident response processes to isolate compromised devices, block malicious traffic, and implement mitigation measures swiftly
- Using AI to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities within internal systems before adversaries can exploit them
- Implementing automated patch management to remediate security gaps as soon as they are discovered
- Utilising threat intelligence platforms powered by AI to analyse and disseminate emerging attack patterns, equipping organisations to prepare for future threats
By embracing these advanced capabilities, organisations can strengthen their posture and stay ahead of sophisticated AI-driven threats and attacks.
How often should employees across departments get cybersecurity awareness training, and what should it include?
Human error remains a primary vector for cyber threats – 70% of security breaches are caused by the human element.
To effectively counteract this risk and build up the ‘human firewall’, organisations must implement a comprehensive, layered cybersecurity strategy, comprising the following components:
Employee training and awareness: People represent the first and most critical line of defence. Regular, organisation-wide cybersecurity training is essential to ensure all staff can identify the latest phishing tactics and practice strong cyber hygiene. This training should encompass the recognition of suspicious communications, the risks of interacting with unknown links or attachments, and the importance of vigilant online behaviour.
Simulated phishing attacks: Leveraging targeted simulations such as our SafeBait solution empowers employees to safely experience and recognise a variety of attack scenarios. These simulations can be customised to reflect real-world phishing attempts across multiple attack vectors, including SMS, WhatsApp, voice and QR code-based attacks.
Endpoint protection: Deploying robust endpoint security – such as our Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) service – protects devices from malware and phishing attempts by offering real-time monitoring, rapid anomaly detection and immediate threat response.
Mobile protection: As mobile usage continues to rise, the deployment of advanced mobile security solutions is essential. Our Mobile Protect service delivers comprehensive protection for iOS and Android devices, effectively mitigating mobile-specific attack vectors.
At Continent 8, as well as our cybersecurity specialist division, C8 Secure, we prioritise ongoing internal security assessments with our own teams, upholding the standards we recommend to our customers through continuous practice and vigilance.
What trends or best practices do we anticipate will influence and shape the industry in 2025 and beyond?
There are a couple of developments that we should monitor.
First, threat intelligence. This has been an underutilised practice, due to the complexity of managing and analysing large-scale, complex datasets to effectively detect and correlate emerging, sector-specific threats in real time. I
We recently announced how we are able to address these requirements through the launch of our Threat Exchange solution – the industry’s first dedicated cyber threat intelligence (CTI) platform. This game-changing solution delivers actionable, real-time intelligence, enabling gaming operators, platform providers and B2B gaming technology companies to proactively detect emerging threats, improve indecent response and understand the threat landscape
Secondly, as we’re aware, regulatory frameworks are always evolving, gradually introducing changes that will further impact and strengthen industry security requirements. Importantly, these regulatory advancements are being applied not only to organisations but also to individual users, encouraging best cybersecurity practices and hygiene to protect systems at every level. It is essential for iGaming operators and suppliers to deliver comprehensive training platforms that incorporate realistic simulations, such as phishing exercises, to ensure staff are well-prepared for current and emerging threats.
October is recognised as Cyber Awareness Month – a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and adherence to best practices. However, cyber threats remain persistent, and it is essential to embrace an always-on, 2/7 cyber-defence strategy that delivers comprehensive, year-round, end-to-end protection.
The post HIPTHER Community Voices: It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month – Interview with Product Principal of Secure Solutions at Continent 8 Technologies, Craig Lusher appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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