Cyber Threats in Horse Racing: How Hackers Target Betting Platforms and Race Data

Staying safe online is essential in this modern day, with hackers typically looking to access the sensitive information of consumers.

Scams are apparent across a variety of sectors nowadays, with people often being prone to calls and emails pretending to be somebody else in order to gain access to banking information and other personal details.

With the growth in technology, it can often be overwhelming when trying to stay as safe as possible while using the internet, especially when you need to sign up to accounts and give access to bank details in order to use products.

One of the main sectors in which cyber threats are apparent is in horse racing, and there are big threats to betting platforms and data that the sport is forced to combat on a daily basis.

Why is Racing Data Under Threat?

Racing data is compiled by trainers and owners across the world to keep tabs on the development of their runners. Therefore, this data is priceless when it comes to developing horses and finding the right paths that should be taken in order to gain the most in terms of prize money.

Training and performance data is securely stored, but hackers can try and breach the data. But, why would hackers look to steal racing data, and what could they stand to gain? Simply put, accessing horses data could be stolen by hackers for financial gain, as they will have a competitive advantage that could be used to make wagers.

Meanwhile, this data could be sold on the black market for vast amounts of money. Stealing this data has the power to disrupt the entire racing industry, which makes it one of the biggest threats to the sport in this modern day. However, racing is constantly looking for new ways to safely secure sensitive information such as the data surrounding every horse in training.

Find more information about past racing winners data here: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/winners/

Threats in Cybersecurity

The threat of a hacking is increasing years it seems, as businesses and individuals are rarely able to feel safe on line. One of the growing threats to the racing industry is that of Ransomware.

This software is able to encrypt large scales of data, before then demanding a ransom in order for the user to regain control of the information. This comes as a dangerous move for those involved in horse racing, as the failure to pay the fee could see sensitive information leaked, while even those that do pay could still yet see the data shared across the internet.

However, this puts racing at a hugely uncomfortable position, as there is no way that the sport can stop collecting data, as it is effectively the lifeblood of the future of the sport, as the results and numbers are essential for breeders and those looking to invest in the sport.

Threats to Online Betting

One of the main sectors of horse racing revolves around the betting options available. For the vast majority of fans of the sport, betting is the main reason why there is a passion in the sport.

However, the growing threats online mean that signing up for an online sportsbook also now comes with its potential issues, albeit slim. Bettors looking to make wagers online will need to share a vast amount of their personal details in order to create an account, including their bank details, home address, and mobile number.

Furthermore, all respected sportsbooks will ensure that identification is provided by a bettor before they are able to take returns out of their account. Therefore, sportsbooks need to ensure that they have extremely strong measures in place to safeguard the information of players. Sportsbooks are always prepared for a cyberattack, as the impact of an attack could be long-standing in terms of the trust between players and the bookie.

A number of measures are already in place to ensure that players can feel safe online, with boundary firewalls, EDR, and secure configuration all in place. Bettors can also secure their accounts by regularly changing their passwords and also by adding a two-step verification.

Complying With Requirements

The steps that must be followed by online sportsbooks have changed drastically over the last ten years due to the improved technology that is available to hackers to break through the firewalls.

Therefore, the regulations that must be followed by any sportsbook have improved to ensure that all players online can feel safe while making their wagers. As well as ensuring security is maintained, sportsbooks will also need to have strict measures in place to prevent money laundering and fraud; both of which will help keep the average bettor online feeling safe with their details.

Overall, the security measures in place are vitally important across the sector, and they ensure that fair play is maintained within the world of horse racing.