Security is getting tricky for game developers. While it was rarely a strong consideration beyond making the game harder to hack, today security is the difference between users billing information being stolen or having their personal details harvested.
With the shift towards cloud gaming and microtransactions, it’s only becoming more important. So with that in mind, we have put together four security practices that should become a part of every dev’s bread and butter.
Robust Authentication Protocols
One of the most critical aspects of game security is implementing strong authentication mechanisms. With the rise of cloud gaming and digital copies, users can log in from anywhere.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) and OAuth are two tried-and-tested methods that add an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access. They require users to provide additional verification, like with the one-time code sent to their mobile phone, meaning a mobile number is connected to the account.
OAuth is a different approach, allowing users to grant limited access to their accounts without exposing their passwords. According to Cybersecurity Magazine, the number of cyber attacks targeting user accounts in gaming platforms has been on the rise, emphasizing the need for robust authentication protocols.
Regular Security Audits and Red Teaming
To ensure the ongoing security of their games, developers must conduct regular security audits and engage in red teaming services. Red team, composed of ethical hackers, orchestrate real-world attacks. These help identify vulnerabilities to the devs to attacks they may face in the real world, and to test how their current infrastructure deals with that.
By proactively testing the defenses, developers can find weaknesses before malicious actors exploit them.
Regular security audits are needed to help maintain in identifying and addressing potential risks. By combining these two proactive approaches, you give yourself a better chance of finding the weak points before release.
Secure Payment Gateways
As many games involve in-game purchases and transactions in order to monetise, securing payment gateways is crucial. Developers must implement encryption methods to protect sensitive financial information and ensure compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
This standard outlines strict requirements for storing payment card data securely (i.e. not in plain text). It’s of course easier to rely on third-party payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal, who have APIs for custom checkouts, and this can alleviate some of the security burden. But, there are still some compliance hoops to get through regardless.
Educate the Community
Phishing attacks are, and have always been, the biggest threat to people. This is something you cannot completely eradicate with infrastructure, and so a more empathetic and nuanced approach is needed. Education is needed, and there are lots of ways to communicate this message. For example, on loading screens, you can place a short message about not sharing certain details or the dangers of buying in-game currency on marketplaces like eBay.
Conclusion
Being a game developer in 2024 requires more and more skills. However, this should be factored into the development plans in that you either attain in-house cybersecurity personnel, or use third-party services. Regardless, a culture of compliance and a more general security-minded approach should be a part of the culture through every stage of development to ensure there are no vulnerabilities.
