The Dark Horse of Cybersecurity: Protecting Racing Data from Sophisticated Threats

Reading Time: 3 Minutes

Introduction

We entered a phase where data has become much more valuable than any other resource in the world including oil. Why? Well, because data holds many use cases that can be beneficial for the user and from which can achieve monetary gain.

Even horse racing data is in jeopardy. By having enough data, AI and machine learning technologies can be trained to predict future outcomes, and with staggering accuracy. In the world of horse racing, AI software can come up with a race prediction based on historical data with much more precision than any experienced handicapper with years of experience in the betting business.

Can you imagine if this data falls into the hands of the wrong people? It might lead to the end of horse racing just because data can be used to fix horse racing events, and the sport will lose its charm and unpredictability.

Yes, AI and ML technologies cannot predict races with 100% accuracy, but they will give people a certain advantage since they will be able to browse through piles of data throughout the entire history of horse racing to find a possible pattern.

In other words, the people that have access to this data, wouldn’t need a horse betting payout calculator, just because they will already know the outcome.

Therefore, protecting this data is very important, and we should all take cybersecurity very seriously.

Why Racing Data is a Prime Target for Hackers

So, the main question is, “Why would hackers care about racing data?” Well, there is a simple answer that lies in the competitive nature of horse racing.

Horse racing is a sport that is very dependent on data. We have the horse’s speed, vital signs, weather conditions, trainer, jockey, and many data points that point to a potential winner of a race.

Information in the world of horse racing is not just valuable—it’s priceless. Hackers can exploit this data for financial gain, competitive advantage, or even disrupt the industry.

Emerging Threats in Racing Cybersecurity

Ransomware and Double Extortion

We have to agree that, one of the most popular and yet nastiest trends in cybersecurity today is ransomware, particularly Ransomware 2.0, which not only encrypts data but also steals it before demanding a ransom.

This double extortion tactic means even if you refuse to pay, then your sensitive data might get leaked and millions of people will find out the secrets of horse racing.

Just because data is very important for horse racing, and there are many companies at the moment collecting data from various events, the entire industry is at risk.

In 2023, ransomware attacks increased by 62%, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down​.

AI-Powered Attacks

The rate at which AI is advancing is truly scary. We are at the starting point and we already lost control of the technology. AI is quite powerful but you know what is scary? Cybercriminals also have access to AI, and they can get APIs and training models where they can use the data they steal from horse racing companies just to train an AI to make a race prediction for example.

Many hackers also use the power of AI for highly personalized and convincing phishing attacks. These attacks mimic the communication styles of team members, making them incredibly difficult to detect.

Defensive Strategies for Horse Racing Organizations

So, how can the horse racing industry protect its data from these sophisticated threats? Here are some practical measures:

Robust Backup Solutions

Data leaks will be more common in the future, however, backups will ensure that you’ll never lose possession of your data and you don’t run into ransom attacks. That’s why it is important for all racing data to be backed up every day.

Endpoint Protection

Strong endpoint security measures might be the solution to preventing the spread of malware, including ransomware. What does this mean? Well, this includes deploying sophisticated threat detection and response systems on all devices that have access to sensitive data.

With that said, as cyber-attacks get more advanced, it will be harder to come up with software capable of defending the data from various attacks. Remember, cybercriminals are always advancing and changing their strategies.

Secure Network Architectures

Securing network infrastructures, especially in environments as dynamic as racing, is crucial. This involves using firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encrypted communications to protect data in transit​​.

AI-Enhanced Cybersecurity

There might be something good from AI, at least for the horse racing industry. AI algorithms constantly learn about new threats and might help businesses detect anomalies and potential threats before they even happen.

This includes machine learning algorithms that constantly analyze large amounts of data just so you’ll be able to detect suspicious patterns that might indicate a cyber threat.

Training and Awareness

However, the best way to protect data against cyber threats is by training your employees who handle the data and constantly upgrading your cybersecurity measures.

Most of the cyber-attacks are a result of human error, which leads to security breaches. Therefore, training everyone who is involved in the company might help us protect racing data.

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