If you recall the time when the Disney+ Hotstar streaming service went live for the first time in November 2019, and hackers were quick to attack the site, you’ll understand the importance of cybersecurity methods.
This incident was an eye-opener because it showed the world what hackers and cyber-attacks are capable of. Several brand-new user accounts were taken down, privacy was breached, email and password settings changed, and the site’s reputation was dismantled.
There is an important lesson here. Stable security measures and robust protocols are imperative for online entertainment businesses. Hackers have endless opportunities to invade a site, but if the embedded security systems are fault-proof, companies can save face and retain customers.
Besides, cybersecurity in entertainment sites, especially in Canada, is of utmost significance because of the large volume of customers who utilize these platforms’ services. To understand more about cybersecurity in Canada, read on!
Cybersecurity Risks In Entertainment Sites In Canada
Security risks in the online entertainment industry are increasing day by day. Even though such threats were always prevalent, the shift from DVD/Blu-Ray and digital broadcasting towards online content has exacerbated potential damage. This is a grave problem. Cybercriminals can exploit the media and content of such sites and invade user privacy and data. Some of the top cybercrime threats include counterfeiting tickets, pirated movies, hacktivism, stolen credit/debit cards, malware, and breaching content and personal data.
To understand Canadian cybersecurity methods, we must explore the potential threats an entertainment site can face. Here are some of the greatest risks faced by entertainment sites in Canada:
Leaked Content
This is one of the biggest cybersecurity threats faced by Canadian sites. HBO faced a major cyberattack in 2017 when a few Game of Thrones episodes were leaked online. Netflix also faced a threat not long after, where almost ten episodes of Orange Is The New Black were illegally released. Steam had revealed that around 77,000 accounts on their platform are leaked every month. Thus, hackers can leak content or use spear-phishing techniques to sabotage the authority of high-profile entertainment sites.
Insider Sabotage
Most of these cyber-attacks are not stand-alone attacks but planned attacks that usually originate within an organization. It might either be on accident or intentionally by a frustrated employee. For instance, in 2014, Sony Pictures met with an unforeseen sabotage threat where confidential employee data was exploited. The hackers exploited more than 100 terabytes of data, erased computer infrastructure, released employee social security numbers, revealed data about celebrity earnings, internal gossip, unreleased movies, etc. This was one of the entertainment industry’s biggest threats, which led Sony to alert others in the business.
Scams
After the digital revolution, scammers are at an all-time high, and they’re also reaching a larger viewership than ever before. For instance, in 2020, WhatsApp by Facebook was hacked, and tens and thousands of users were promised free membership to streaming services if they forwarded a chain message to their contacts and provided their personal details. Later, the hackers exploited the personal details, and accounts were taken over. Scams of this kind have become pretty common in the entertainment industry.
State-sponsored attacks
Since entertainment platforms have a stronghold on cultural trends, mainly pop culture, governments can attempt to take them down. For example, North Korea has tried to take down some sites that published controversial content.
Ransomware threats
Ransomware threats are among the biggest threats faced by entertainment sites in Canada. These sites have to end up paying millions to access their lost data.
Email hacking
Email hacking occurred during the 2016 Disney+ Hotstar cyberattack when hackers got access to user accounts and changed the username and password settings. Thus, information can be manipulated and sold on the dark web.
Essential Cyber Security Measures For Entertainment Sites In Canada
There are many Canadian digital trust insights that online entertainment companies can adopt to safeguard their data and prevent rampant cyberattacks. If you’re wondering how you can keep your employee and user data secure while maintaining the organization’s security systems, here are a few tips:
Classify Data:
Entertainment sites must be classified continually, keeping in mind their attributes and characteristics that may change over time. Once data is classified accurately, the goal is to adapt security postures to stay updated with the changing conditions.
Secure Encrypted Systems:
Encryption in either software or hardware makes private data unreadable by breaking them down into codes. Only someone who has access to the encryption key can convert the data back to a readable form. Otherwise, a hacker could easily exploit information. Online casinos use encryption to safeguard their data.
For instance, the dream vegas casino withdrawals in Canada are highly secure, and customers are assured that their information will be encrypted. This site keeps its operating funds separate from the players’ funds, amplifying the dream vegas casino security. This method lowers the chance of a user losing his money, even if the site is breached. The personal data is also secured through a two-fold process.
Before you start playing in an online casino- it is essential to check its security methods since you share your details and bank details for making withdrawals. Legal casinos also use random number generator software to assure fair play.
Employee Training:
One of the most important Canadian cyber security methods is ensuring that the employees receive proper training and recognize the initial signs of a cyberattack. A training program should also equip the employees with the company’s policies and instruct personnel on what to do when they spot a cyberattack incoming.
Secure Backups:
Creating secure data backups can prevent the loss of confidential customer and organization data. When paired with encryption, this will guarantee that only authorized personnel can access information. Besides, the IT team will also get more time to track and audit files, keep them secure, focus on data production, etc. While users can rest assured that their data is in safe hands.
Precautionary measures:
Every online entertainment company should have its preventive measures, which have proper security monitoring functions, internal networks, etc. This will reduce the risk of malicious insiders, hacktivism, and ransomware threats.
If you’re running an entertainment company, you should invest in a highly-trained and professional IT team specializing in cybersecurity operations.
