GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Cybersecurity In The Game Industry Statistics

As the gaming industry continues to grow, cyberattacks are becoming more prevalent with an estimated 46% of gaming companies experiencing a security breach in the last 12 months.

Highlights: Cybersecurity In The Game Industry Statistics

  • 71% of game developers believe security is a high priority, but only half have a formal security program in place.
  • According to a study by Akamai, 30% of all attacks recorded in Q2 in 2019 were aimed at players in the Gaming industry.
  • Cybercrime cost the gaming industry over $100 Billion in 2020.
  • 12% of game developers suggest that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility within the organization.
  • In 2018, 75% of the DDoS attacks targeted the gaming industry.
  • In 2020, gaming industry suffered more credential stuffing attacks than any other sector.
  • 61 % of all professionals working in gaming have experienced layoffs, mental health issues due to increased security threats.
  • In 2019, 46% of gamers experienced loss of login details, which indicated an increase in cybercrimes.
  • 90% of logins on a wide variety of online gaming sites are reported to be made by automated attacks.
  • Credential theft accounted for 34% of all gaming breaches in 2019.
  • Personal data makes up 46% of all data targeted by attackers in the gaming industry.
  • 3% of gaming companies report having been targeted more than 5000 times by cybercriminals in 2020.
  • 81% of gamers in Europe say that they would end their online gaming subscription if they found out the company failed to protect their data.
  • Account takeovers on gaming platforms rose by 195% from 2019 to 2020.
  • Cybersecurity attacks on the gaming industry have more than tripled since 2018.
  • By 2020, 27% of cyber-attacks globally were targeted at gamers.
  • In 2019, there were over 10 billion attempted attacks on the gaming industry.
  • In the first nine months of 2019, gaming companies received more than 152 million web application attacks.

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The Latest Cybersecurity In The Game Industry Statistics Explained

71% of game developers believe security is a high priority, but only half have a formal security program in place.

The statistic reveals that a majority of game developers, specifically 71%, consider security to be a top priority within their development processes. However, there seems to be a disconnect as only half of the game developers surveyed have implemented a formal security program to address this priority. This indicates a potential gap between acknowledging the importance of security and taking concrete steps to protect their games and related assets. It suggests that while there is a general awareness of the need for security measures within the game development industry, there is room for improvement in terms of implementing structured security protocols to effectively safeguard against potential threats and vulnerabilities.

According to a study by Akamai, 30% of all attacks recorded in Q2 in 2019 were aimed at players in the Gaming industry.

This statistic, derived from a study conducted by Akamai, indicates that in the second quarter of 2019, 30% of all recorded cyber attacks were specifically targeted towards individuals or entities within the Gaming industry. This finding highlights the significant vulnerability of the gaming sector to malicious cyber activities, potentially due to the large user base, valuable personal and financial data, or prominence of gaming platforms. Such a high proportion of attacks signifies a pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity measures within the gaming industry to protect against potential data breaches, financial losses, and disruptions to online gaming experiences.

Cybercrime cost the gaming industry over $100 Billion in 2020.

The statistic “Cybercrime cost the gaming industry over $100 Billion in 2020” represents the financial impact of cybercriminal activities on the gaming sector throughout the year. This figure signifies the total monetary losses that the industry incurred as a result of various cyber threats such as hacking, fraud, phishing, and other forms of cyberattacks. These activities can target gaming companies, their platforms, and their users, leading to financial losses due to data breaches, stolen intellectual property, disrupted services, and other related damages. The significant financial impact highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures and the need for robust security strategies to protect the gaming industry from cyber threats.

12% of game developers suggest that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility within the organization.

The statistic “12% of game developers suggest that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility within the organization” indicates that a relatively small proportion of individuals within the game development industry believe that cybersecurity is a collective effort that involves every member of an organization. This implies that the majority of game developers may not view cybersecurity as a shared responsibility, potentially leading to gaps in cybersecurity practices and protocols within these organizations. Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity as a shared responsibility can help improve overall security posture and reduce the risk of cyber threats and attacks in the gaming industry.

In 2018, 75% of the DDoS attacks targeted the gaming industry.

The statistic “In 2018, 75% of the Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks targeted the gaming industry” indicates that a large majority of cyber attacks aimed at disrupting online services were directed towards the gaming sector during that year. DDoS attacks involve flooding a network or server with an overwhelming amount of traffic, leading to service interruptions or downtime. The high percentage highlights the vulnerability of the gaming industry to such attacks, which can severely impact the user experience, revenue, and reputation of gaming companies. This statistic emphasizes the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect against DDoS attacks and safeguard the integrity of online gaming services.

In 2020, gaming industry suffered more credential stuffing attacks than any other sector.

The statistic “In 2020, the gaming industry suffered more credential stuffing attacks than any other sector” indicates that the gaming industry experienced a higher frequency of credential stuffing attacks compared to all other industries within that year. Credential stuffing refers to a cyberattack method where cybercriminals use automated tools to test large numbers of stolen usernames and passwords across different platforms in order to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The high occurrence of these attacks within the gaming industry suggests that it was targeted more frequently by cybercriminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities and gain access to user accounts potentially for financial gain or other malicious purposes. This statistic highlights the importance of improving cybersecurity measures and implementing strong authentication protocols within the gaming sector to prevent such attacks in the future.

61 % of all professionals working in gaming have experienced layoffs, mental health issues due to increased security threats.

The statistic reveals that a significant portion, 61%, of professionals working in the gaming industry have faced layoffs and mental health issues as a result of heightened security threats. This suggests that the gaming sector is undergoing challenges related to job stability and psychological well-being due to security concerns. The impact of these layoffs and security threats on the industry’s workforce can be profound, leading to potential job insecurity and mental health struggles among professionals in the gaming sector. It is crucial for employers, policymakers, and support services to address these issues to protect the well-being and livelihoods of those working in this industry.

In 2019, 46% of gamers experienced loss of login details, which indicated an increase in cybercrimes.

The statistic “In 2019, 46% of gamers experienced loss of login details, which indicated an increase in cybercrimes” implies that a significant portion of gamers had suffered from the loss of their login information during that year. This observation suggests a potential increase in cybercrimes targeting the gaming community, as losing login details can be a direct result of hacking, phishing, or other malicious activities. Such incidents can compromise the security and privacy of gamers’ accounts, leading to potential data breaches and financial losses. The high percentage of gamers affected highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures within the gaming industry to protect users’ sensitive information and prevent cybercrimes.

90% of logins on a wide variety of online gaming sites are reported to be made by automated attacks.

The statistic stating that 90% of logins on a wide variety of online gaming sites are reported to be made by automated attacks suggests a concerning prevalence of fraudulent activity within the gaming industry. Automated attacks, also known as bots, can be programmed to repeatedly attempt logging in using various login credentials in order to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This poses a significant security threat to players as their personal information, payment details, and in-game assets could be compromised. The high percentage of logins attributed to automated attacks underscores the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures and authentication protocols to protect user data and maintain the integrity of online gaming platforms.

Credential theft accounted for 34% of all gaming breaches in 2019.

The statistic ‘Credential theft accounted for 34% of all gaming breaches in 2019’ indicates that in the gaming industry, nearly one-third of security breaches were attributed to unauthorized access of usernames and passwords by cybercriminals. Credential theft involves malicious actors stealing login information, often through phishing scams or data breaches, in order to gain access to user accounts and potentially sensitive personal information. This statistic highlights the significant risk posed by credential theft in the gaming sector and underscores the importance of implementing robust security measures to protect user data and prevent such breaches from occurring.

Personal data makes up 46% of all data targeted by attackers in the gaming industry.

The statistic that personal data makes up 46% of all data targeted by attackers in the gaming industry indicates that a significant portion of cyberattacks within this sector are focused on obtaining personal information of users. This includes data such as usernames, passwords, payment information, and other sensitive details that can be used for malicious purposes. Given the increase in online gaming and the value of personal data in today’s digital world, hackers target this information to exploit for financial gain or to carry out identity theft. This statistic highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures in the gaming industry to protect user privacy and data security.

3% of gaming companies report having been targeted more than 5000 times by cybercriminals in 2020.

The statistic statement “3% of gaming companies report having been targeted more than 5000 times by cybercriminals in 2020” indicates that a small percentage of gaming companies experienced a high volume of cybercriminal attacks throughout the year. This suggests that a subset of gaming companies are particularly vulnerable to cyber threats, potentially due to factors such as inadequate cybersecurity measures, valuable digital assets, or simply being high-profile targets within the industry. The implication is that cybercrime remains a significant concern for the gaming sector, highlighting the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity strategies to safeguard against malicious activities and protect sensitive data.

81% of gamers in Europe say that they would end their online gaming subscription if they found out the company failed to protect their data.

The statistic ‘81% of gamers in Europe say that they would end their online gaming subscription if they found out the company failed to protect their data’ indicates a strong concern among the majority of gamers in Europe regarding data protection by gaming companies. This statistic suggests that a large proportion of gamers prioritize the security and privacy of their personal data when it comes to online gaming subscriptions. The finding underscores the importance for gaming companies to prioritize data protection measures in order to retain their customers’ trust and loyalty. It highlights the potential impact of data breaches or failures in safeguarding personal information on the subscription retention rates within the gaming industry in Europe.

Account takeovers on gaming platforms rose by 195% from 2019 to 2020.

The statistic ‘Account takeovers on gaming platforms rose by 195% from 2019 to 2020’ indicates a significant increase in unauthorized access to gaming accounts over the one-year period. This 195% rise suggests that almost three times as many gaming accounts were compromised in 2020 compared to the previous year. The sharp increase could be attributed to various factors such as heightened cybersecurity threats, increased online gaming activity during the COVID-19 pandemic leading to more potential targets for hackers, or a potential lack of robust security measures on gaming platforms. This trend highlights the importance of implementing robust security protocols, educating users on account protection, and potentially enhancing cybersecurity measures within the gaming industry to mitigate the risks associated with account takeovers.

Cybersecurity attacks on the gaming industry have more than tripled since 2018.

The statistic that cybersecurity attacks on the gaming industry have more than tripled since 2018 indicates a significant increase in cyber threats targeting gaming companies and their systems. This sharp rise suggests that hackers and cybercriminals are increasingly targeting the gaming industry, likely due to the industry’s growing popularity and valuable assets such as user data, in-game currency, and virtual items. As a result, gaming companies and players alike are at greater risk of data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other security threats. To combat this trend, it is crucial for the gaming industry to prioritize cybersecurity measures, such as implementing robust security protocols, regular security assessments, and user education to mitigate the risks associated with cyber threats.

By 2020, 27% of cyber-attacks globally were targeted at gamers.

The statistic “By 2020, 27% of cyber-attacks globally were targeted at gamers” indicates that a significant portion of cyber-attacks worldwide were specifically aimed at individuals who engage in gaming activities. This statistic highlights the vulnerability of gamers to cyber threats such as phishing scams, malware, data breaches, and account hacking. The gaming community has become a lucrative target for cybercriminals due to the large number of users and the value of virtual assets within games. As the gaming industry continues to grow and evolve, it is essential for gamers to prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect their personal information, accounts, and devices from malicious activities.

In 2019, there were over 10 billion attempted attacks on the gaming industry.

The statistic “In 2019, there were over 10 billion attempted attacks on the gaming industry” indicates the significant scale of cyber threats faced by the gaming sector during that year. This high number of attempted attacks highlights the industry’s attractiveness to cybercriminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities for financial gain or disruption. The gaming industry is a lucrative target due to the large user bases, valuable in-game assets, and potential for direct financial transactions. This statistic underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity measures for gaming companies to protect their platforms, user data, and overall business operations from malicious actors.

In the first nine months of 2019, gaming companies received more than 152 million web application attacks.

The statistic that gaming companies received more than 152 million web application attacks in the first nine months of 2019 highlights a significant issue of cybersecurity vulnerability within the gaming industry. These attacks could have targeted sensitive user data, financial information, or disrupted gaming services. The high number of attacks underscores the importance of implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect against potential threats and safeguard both the companies and their users. It also points towards the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats and the need for continuous monitoring and upgrading of defenses to mitigate risks effectively and ensure the stability and security of online gaming platforms.

References

0. – https://www.www.idtheftcenter.org

1. – https://www.securityboulevard.com

2. – https://www.www.vice.com

3. – https://www.www.cybintsolutions.com

4. – https://www.www.venafi.com

5. – https://www.www.internetsociety.org

6. – https://www.securityintelligence.com

7. – https://www.deloitte.wsj.com

8. – https://www.www.bbc.com

9. – https://www.www.fortinet.com

10. – https://www.akamai.com

11. – https://www.www.kaspersky.com

12. – https://www.www.helpnetsecurity.com

13. – https://www.venturebeat.com

14. – https://www.www.infosecurity-magazine.com

15. – https://www.cybersecurity-excellence-awards.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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