Launch builds pass penetration testing. Load tests hit target CCU. Nothing looks alarming in staging.

Then real players connect from five regions, latency spikes appear, cheats surface through unexpected paths, and stability issues show up that no test flagged.

When that happens, the problem usually isn’t your game servers.
It’s the network layer connecting everything together.

For online game studios, network infrastructure audits are the least discussed and most misunderstood part of pre‑launch readiness. They sit between security and performance, and because they don’t belong cleanly to either discipline, they’re often skipped entirely.

What a Network Infrastructure Audit Actually Means for Games

A network audit for a game studio is not an enterprise checklist exercise. It’s not about ticking boxes for firewalls, VPCs, or compliance frameworks.

It answers one question only:

How does traffic really move through your backend when players and attackers behave unpredictably?

For modern online games, that means auditing:

• Matchmaking to relay to authoritative server paths
• UDP and TCP exposure assumptions
• NAT traversal, edge routing, and regional failover
• Cloud security group sprawl across environments
• Legacy rules left behind from previous milestones
• Third‑party services sitting on the critical path

Most studios believe these paths are “known” because they exist on diagrams. In practice, diagrams age faster than infrastructure. What’s deployed rarely matches what’s documented.

Why Traditional Testing Misses Network-Level Issues

Penetration testing focuses on what can be exploited.

Load testing focuses on what breaks under scale.

Neither fully answers how those failures happen at the network layer.

Common blind spots we see during audits:

• Exploit paths that never touch application code
  Overlooked UDP exposure, permissive routing rules, or internal services reachable externally.
• Anti-cheat assumptions that collapse under real traffic
  Controls enforced at the application layer, bypassed through network behavior.
• DDoS amplification vectors
  Rate limiting exists in code, but not where packets actually hit the system.
• Latency introduced by late-stage security fixes
  Firewalls and filters added after load testing, shifting bottlenecks into production.
• Shadow infrastructure
  Old relay nodes, deprecated endpoints, or test environments still reachable.

None of these are unusual. They’re a byproduct of live development, multiple vendors, and aggressive timelines.

The issue isn’t that studios overlook these risks.

It’s that there’s no single test designed to surface them unless you audit the network explicitly.

How Cyrex Approaches Network Infrastructure Audits

Cyrex audits networks the same way attackers and players experience them: end to end, under real conditions, with multiple perspectives.

Two things make the difference.

Pair Hacking at the Network Layer

Every Cyrex security engagement uses pair hacking. That applies just as strongly to network audits.

Two security engineers working together identify exploit chains faster and more accurately than a single auditor. One engineer follows the traffic flow. The other challenges assumptions, pivots attack paths, and probes edge cases.

That collaboration matters most at the network layer, where issues rarely exist in isolation.

Pair hacking simulates how real attackers operate: collaboratively, iteratively, and opportunistically.

If you want broader vulnerability coverage, especially for complex online architectures, this is non-negotiable.

You can learn more about our penetration testing approach here:
https://cyrex.tech/security-penetration-testing/

Protoceptor: Seeing Traffic as It Actually Behaves

Network audits rely on visibility. Most studios don’t have tooling that shows them how traffic behaves across platforms, protocols, and environments at once.

Cyrex Protoceptor provides that visibility.

Protoceptor analyzes network traffic across any platform and tech stack, allowing our engineers to observe:

• Unexpected routing paths
• Protocol misuse
• Traffic patterns under stress
• Assumptions that don’t hold outside ideal conditions

This isn’t theoretical analysis. It’s an observation based on real traffic behavior.

That’s where most network failures reveal themselves.

Why Security and Performance Are Inseparable at the Network Layer

Studios often treat security hardening and performance optimization as separate phases. At the network layer, that separation breaks down.

• Security controls affect latency.
• Routing decisions affect exploitability.
• Rate limiting changes how systems behave under load.
• Network bottlenecks create new attack surfaces.

This is why network audits should happen before final load testing, not after.

When network behavior is understood early, load simulations become more accurate, and security decisions don’t introduce late-stage instability.

This is also where network audits inform better load testing strategies using tools like Cyrex Swarm, which simulates millions of concurrent users at the network level rather than relying solely on application calls.

https://cyrex.tech/load-testing/

When Studios Should Run a Network Infrastructure Audit

Based on our engagements, network audits deliver the most value at three moments:

• Pre-launch, before final load testing and certification
• Pre-scale, when expanding regions, CCU targets, or backend services
• Post-incident, to understand what failed and why defenses didn’t behave as expected

Waiting until players feel the problem is always more expensive than validating assumptions early.

Final Thoughts

If your studio runs an online game, your network is already being probed. By players, by automated tools, and by attackers looking for the path of least resistance.

A network infrastructure audit doesn’t replace penetration testing or load testing. It connects them.

It shows you how traffic actually behaves when assumptions break down. And it gives your team the clarity to harden security and performance without trading one for the other.

Launch is a one-way door. If you’re scaling a live service or hardening a new backend, the network layer is where your assumptions go to die. Don’t leave your most critical infrastructure to chance, secure your perimeter with a Cyrex Network Audit: https://cyrex.tech/contact/

The post Game Infrastructure Audits: The Blind Spot Between Security and Performance appeared first on Cyrex.

The iGaming industry isn’t just growing; it’s defining a new era of digital entertainment. With the global market valued at well over $100 billion in 2025, it’s one of the fastest and most lucrative segments in tech. But with high stakes come high risks. For me, success in this space – whether you’re a market leader like Zynga, Betsoft, Penn Interactive or the next Web3 powerhouse – boils down to protecting two non-negotiable pillars: Integrity and Resilience.

What is iGaming, and Why is it Exploding?

iGaming is simply the convergence of gambling, finance, and digital entertainment. It spans everything from online poker and sports betting to modern blockchain games that incorporate high-stakes financial mechanics.

Its popularity is skyrocketing for a few key reasons:

• Social & Cultural Shift: Gen Z is trading traditional social activities at the bar for communal gaming experiences. Our games are the new town square, driving massive user engagement.
• Mobile Dominance: Over half of all iGaming revenue comes from mobile platforms, making access instant and global.
• Blockchain Innovation: The introduction of tokens and NFTs allows for provably fair outcomes and player ownership, attracting a new generation of users focused on digital assets.

The Two Pillars of iGaming Resilience

This is where the rubber meets the road. To build a world-class iGaming platform, you must master the fight against both internal logic flaws and external malicious attacks.

1. Integrity Testing: Protecting the Payout

This goes beyond standard security. When we engaged with Betsoft, our focus was ensuring match result validation and multiplayer functionality were impervious to manipulation. A typical hacker might try to steal data; an iGaming hacker tries to alter the rules of the game to ensure they win.

We apply this same rigorous thinking to blockchain titles like Blast Royale (where prize pool integrity is everything) and Nitro Nation World Tour (where high-stakes duels introduce financial risk). Our penetration testing (PT) is designed to find these critical flaws:

• Logic Flaws: Finding exploits that manipulate game outcomes or payment triggers.
• Balance Validation: Ensuring user balances cannot be artificially inflated.
• Pair Hacking: Our security engineers work in teams, emulating the collaboration of black hat collectives to uncover vulnerabilities that a single tester or a basic scanner would miss.

2. Resilience Testing: Protecting the Platform

It doesn’t matter how fair your game is if the servers are offline during the final betting window. iGaming platforms are prime targets for large-scale DDoS attacks designed to deny service during peak traffic – the moment operators are making the most revenue.

Our DDoS testing, powered by our proprietary Cyrex Swarm technology, ensures your resilience:

• Real-World Simulation: We simulate hundreds of thousands of requests per second, mimicking the scale of a true malicious attack.
• Availability Assurance: We test your ability to maintain service and availability even under overwhelming hostile traffic, a non-negotiable for regulatory compliance and player satisfaction.

Securing Your End Game

The iGaming industry demands the highest standards of security because it deals directly with user trust and financial integrity. We have spent over a decade building security solutions specifically for this high-stakes ecosystem.

If you are building the next generation of iGaming entertainment – whether traditional or blockchain – we’re here and ready to ensure your foundation is built for both fairness and resilience.

Invest in proactive cybersecurity measures with Cyrex to safeguard your iGaming platform and maintain player trust in today’s digital landscape.

Ready to discuss true iGaming resilience? 

The post How to Guarantee Fairness and Prevent Fraud in the $100B iGaming Industry appeared first on Cyrex.

I’ve seen it countless times across industries, from high-stakes finance to cutting-edge gaming: brilliant teams focused on innovation, unknowingly leaving a backdoor wide open simply because their network wasn’t properly checked after the last big update. It’s a gift to a threat actor.

The Network: The Hacker’s Map

A Network Audit, as we define it at Cyrex, isn’t just a compliance checkbox. It’s a proactive mapping of your entire digital ecosystem. Think of your network as the nervous system of your business. If the components aren’t speaking correctly, or if one junction is unprotected, the whole system is at risk.

We don’t just look for known vulnerabilities. We simulate a malicious attacker walking the internal halls of your digital property, checking:

• Interconnected systems and their access controls (e.g., databases with direct connections to production environments)
• Exposed services that create unnecessary attack surfaces (e.g., Forgotten test servers with administrative interfaces visible to the public)
• Outdated protocols that have documented vulnerabilities (e.g., Legacy SMBv1 file sharing protocol still active on internal networks)
• Misconfigurations that bypass intended security measures (e.g., Firewall rules allowing overly permissive outbound connections)
• Undocumented network segments operating in the shadows (e.g., Shadow IT deployments running unauthorized cloud services)

Your Attack Surface

Your network’s attack surface exists in layers, each requiring distinct security approaches.

External-facing assets – your websites, APIs, and remote access points – represent your first line of defense and typically warrant priority testing. These are the entry points attackers probe first, looking for that initial foothold.

However, internal systems often hide the most critical vulnerabilities. Once perimeter defenses are breached, loosely secured internal assets like domain controllers, file shares, and employee workstations become prime targets for lateral movement. Our staged approach first secures your perimeter, then works inward.

Modern networks extend beyond traditional boundaries into cloud infrastructure. We examine your AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud deployments for misconfigurations specific to these environments – like excessive IAM permissions, unencrypted storage, or insecure API gateways – that create unique security challenges invisible to conventional network checks.

From Audit to Competitive Advantage

Our job isn’t to scare you with jargon. It’s to give you clarity and a battle plan.

A Cyrex Network Audit delivers extensive, no-holes-barred reporting with proof of concept, risk analysis, and creative, best-practice solutions. We transform the terrifying reality of your network’s weak points into an immediate, manageable to-do list.

In today’s high-stakes landscape, trust is the most valuable asset. Fortifying your network isn’t just about protection; it’s a competitive advantage. Let’s make sure your foundation is rock solid.

Ready to safeguard your digital infrastructure? Get in touch with our team today.

The post Network Security Audit: Finding the “Silent Killer” Misconfigurations in Your Infrastructure appeared first on Cyrex.

The world’s changing fast, and so is how we socialize. I see it everywhere – from the rise of local video game cafes to the way Gen Z is swapping traditional meetups at the bar for a round of Dune: Awakening or a raid in Path of Exile 2. Gaming isn’t just a hobby anymore; it’s a central social hub.

This shift in culture, the fact that our games are now the new town square, has completely changed the rules for how we build and secure them. It’s no longer about a boxed product you ship and forget; it’s a 24/7, always-on digital world that never truly goes offline.

Why Always-On Game Security is Critical for Developers

I still see a lot of teams operating with that “old world” mindset, thinking a single, pre-launch security check is enough. It’s not. In the new era of always-on games, every new piece of content, every live event, and every new patch is a potential new security vulnerability.

This creates a unique set of challenges. Your game is a living organism, and it’s constantly exposed to threats. The difference between a resilient game and a fragile one isn’t the quality of your code at launch; it’s the strength of your continuous, proactive security posture.

How Cyrex Secures Live-Service Games: Penetration & DDoS Testing

At Cyrex, we believe security and stability aren’t a one-time check; they’re a continuous process. Our approach is designed to match the new reality of live service games.

Penetration Testing: Finding Vulnerabilities Before Hackers Do

Our penetration testing services are about more than just a pre-launch checkup. We approach each test with the dual mindset of a player and a cybersecurity specialist, using a methodology we call “pair hacking.” Our team of security engineers works together to emulate the techniques of hacker collectives. We’re not just finding bugs; we’re proactively securing your game for the long haul.

DDoS Testing: Ensuring Your Game Survives Malicious Traffic

DDoS attacks are a very real threat to live service games. A sudden flood of malicious traffic on a game like Dying Light 2 or Exoborne can cause unexpected downtime and a loss of player trust. Our DDoS testing service is designed for exactly this reality. Using our proprietary Cyrex Swarm technology, we simulate hundreds of thousands of requests per second to ensure your system can handle a malicious attack. We’re not just testing your system’s limits; we’re testing its resilience.

The Future of Live-Service Game Security: Continuous & Proactive Protection

The future of gaming is always-on. And the future of security is about providing a continuous, proactive, and holistic approach. My team and I are at the forefront of this mission, and we’re ready to help you safeguard your online games, fortify against potential threats, and provide your players with an enjoyable and risk-free gaming environment.

We’re passionate about this mission, and we’re ready to help you navigate this new, always-on world. If you’re building a live service game, we’re here and ready.

The post Gaming’s New Town Square: The Always-On Security Problem appeared first on Cyrex.

You can feel the energy, can’t you? It’s the palpable buzz of a new frontier, the kind of excitement that gets every builder’s blood pumping. Right now, in our industry, that frontier is AI. Everyone’s rushing in, looking to stake a claim on the next big thing, whether it’s building a new application or integrating a massive LLM into their game.

I get it. This is a builder’s dream, the biggest technical challenge of our generation. But a gold rush comes with a warning: for every claim staked and every fortune made, there’s a prospector who gets robbed.

The Unseen Threats: What Are the Biggest AI Security Risks?

In this new AI frontier, the bad guys aren’t using pickaxes and revolvers. They’re using code. What was once a simple hack has evolved into a new generation of sophisticated threats that can jeopardize your entire operation.

• Evasion Attacks (Prompt Injections): This is the modern-day saboteur. These attackers craft input to mislead your model, forcing it to give unintended or unwanted outputs. A malicious prompt can make your AI generate harmful content, leak sensitive data, or perform tasks it was never designed for. It’s the most common and one of the most unpredictable threats we’re seeing right now.
• Model Theft: Your AI model is your most valuable intellectual property. Whether you’ve built it from the ground up or refined it on a powerful LLM, it’s a unique, bespoke solution. Model theft is a serious threat, attackers can steal or replicate your work, effectively stealing your competitive edge. It’s not just a breach; it’s IP abuse.
• Model Poisoning: This is a long-game attack and one of the most chilling. It’s an attack on the supply chain. Attackers subtly inject bad data into the public sources your AI learns from. Months or even years later, the model’s behavior is subtly altered, turning your trusted system into a tool for malicious actors.

These aren’t just theoretical vulnerabilities. They’re real. And in a world where everyone is rushing to be first, they’re often overlooked.

Beyond the Hype: Building a Resilient AI System

While the market is still catching up, we’ve been quietly preparing for this technical revolution. Our mission has always been to be ahead of the curve, providing a niche within a niche by focusing on the complex security and performance needs of the gaming and interactive entertainment industry. That gives us a strategic edge, because we’re navigating highly complex waters that many have yet to enter.

My team and I bring a hacker’s mindset to every challenge. We don’t just follow the rules; we push the boundaries to find out where your systems are most vulnerable. We’ve spent years building our expertise in professional penetration testing and security services.

We’re not here just to talk about the hype; we’re here to talk about the plan. Our job is to help you build a more resilient system, so you can focus on building the next great thing.

The gold rush is on. Let’s make sure your claim is secure.

The post The Great AI Gold Rush: Who’s Getting Rich and Who’s Getting Robbed? appeared first on Cyrex.

You’ve poured your heart and soul into building a game, but what’s keeping you up at night? For many studio leaders and developers, it’s the nightmare of a security breach. In an industry that saw a 30% rise in cyberattacks last year, a single vulnerability can compromise player data, destroy your in-game economy, and tarnish your reputation forever.

Security is not just a feature; it’s the bedrock of a successful game. Here are five of the most common security mistakes we see developers make and, more importantly, how you can avoid them with a proactive mindset.

1. Ignoring Server-Side Security, Especially on Consoles

Many studios focus heavily on client-side security, believing that a fortified user device is enough. However, hackers can always find a way around client-side protections. The true blind spot we often see, particularly in cross-platform games, is a failure to properly secure the server-side interactions with first-party services like PlayStation Network or Xbox Live. Without a rigorous authentication process, attackers can spoof their way in, leading to potential account takeovers and a violation of user data.

How to avoid it:

The server must always be the ultimate source of truth. Validate all player actions and data on your backend. Engage in penetration testing that specifically targets these first-party services to ensure they are airtight and not vulnerable to credential spoofing.

2. Relying on Client-Side Anti-Cheat as a Single Defense

Client-side anti-cheat is a necessary deterrent, but it is never enough. Cheaters are constantly innovating, and any code running on a player’s machine is fundamentally vulnerable to manipulation. By relying solely on this method, you create a race to patch exploits that you are destined to lose. This leaves your game open to aimbots, wallhacks, and other cheats that can ruin the player experience and drive your community away.

How to avoid it:

Adopt a “defense-in-depth” strategy. Combine client-side anti-cheat with robust server-side checks and behavioral analysis. Your server can identify and flag suspicious or impossible actions—like a player teleporting—that your client-side tools may miss. A professional penetration test can also help identify and patch the specific flaws that cheaters may exploit.

3. Forgetting to Secure the In-Game Economy

Your game’s economy is its heartbeat. Vulnerabilities that allow players to duplicate currency, exploit glitches for infinite items, or access platform-specific content on the wrong console can quickly devalue the entire game. For free-to-play and gacha games, this is a financial disaster that undermines your monetization model and destroys player trust.

How to avoid it:

Ensure all critical in-game actions, especially those involving transactions and item management, are server-authoritative. This means the server, not the player’s device, must confirm every transaction. Comprehensive penetration testing is essential for uncovering these complex logic flaws before they can be exploited.

4. Storing Sensitive Player Data Insecurely

In an age of data breaches and strict privacy regulations, insecure data storage is one of the most costly mistakes a studio can make. A data breach can lead to lawsuits, fines, and a catastrophic loss of player trust. As we’ve seen with high-profile breaches, the damage to a studio’s reputation can be devastating and far harder to recover from than any technical issue.

How to avoid it:

Encrypt all sensitive player data, both at rest and in transit. Only collect the player data you absolutely need and ensure you are fully compliant with regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Regular penetration testing can help you discover and fix any vulnerabilities in your data storage systems before a malicious actor does.

5. Skipping Professional Penetration Testing

Many developers rely on automated vulnerability scans or assume their internal team will find all the flaws. This is a common and dangerous oversight. Automated scans are often superficial, and in-house developers can be blind to vulnerabilities in their own code. A security flaw that goes unnoticed could lead to a breach that results in costly downtime, loss of revenue, and player dissatisfaction.

How to avoid it:

Invest in professional penetration testing. Unlike a simple scan, a pen test is a strategic, manual process performed by seasoned experts who think like real-world attackers. Our game-focused testing for multiplayer and blockchain games, which covers everything from Unreal Engine to Unity, is specifically designed to uncover the non-standard logic flaws and unique exploits that generic testers often miss.

Elevating Your Security: A Proactive Approach

Don’t let security be an afterthought. The threat landscape is constantly evolving, and a proactive security posture is your best defense against the costly consequences of a breach. At Cyrex, we don’t just find vulnerabilities; we help you build a resilient, secure foundation that your players can trust. Don’t wait for a breach to happen. Take the first step toward a more secure future for your game and your players. Contact us today to discuss your project and discover how our tailored penetration testing services can give you peace of mind.

The post Top 5 Security Mistakes Game Developers Make (and How to Avoid Them) appeared first on Cyrex.

It feels like just yesterday that Cyrex began its journey, fueled by a passion for cybersecurity and a drive to make the digital world a safer place. Now, here we are, celebrating a monumental milestone: 10 years of Cyrex! From humble beginnings to a global leader in penetration testing, load testing, and software development, our story is one of relentless innovation, strategic growth, and unwavering commitment to our clients.

What started as an idea between two college friends has blossomed into a multi-million-dollar powerhouse, partnering with some of the biggest names in gaming and technology. As we mark this incredible occasion, let’s take a moment to reflect on the journey, the triumphs, and the vision that has propelled Cyrex forward for a full decade.

From University Ambition to Industry Titans

Cyrex’s genesis can be traced back to the cybersecurity studies of co-founders Mathieu Huysman and Tim De Wachter. Their initial foray into penetration testing services, honed in the demanding fintech sector, laid the groundwork for what was to come. The pivotal moment arrived around two years in, with an opportunity from a German game publisher. This sparked an enduring fascination with solving the complex challenges of game hacking – a passion that continues to drive us today.

Recognizing the need to expand beyond Belgium’s gaming scene, Mat and Tim embraced an international outlook. Early efforts involved highly efficient bug bounty work, which quickly gained them a reputation for uncovering vulnerabilities. So effective were they, in fact, that companies soon realized it was more beneficial to hire them directly! This organic demand led to the official formation of Cyrex.

In those nascent years, the small founding team managed everything, from hacking operations to sales and marketing. They quickly learned the importance of adapting and improving, shifting from relying solely on technical prowess to actively promoting their services. This strategic pivot ignited momentum that has never stopped.

A Founder’s Perspective: The Early Days

We asked Co-founder & COO Mathieu Huysman to reflect on Cyrex’s beginnings:

Question for Mat: “Looking back at the very beginning, what was the biggest challenge you faced in those first few years, and what kept you going?”

Mat: “Being a pioneer isn’t always a blessing, and that’s exactly what we experienced in the early days of Cyrex. Our solutions were years ahead of what the gaming industry was ready to adopt. Unlike sectors like FinTech, where security and scalability were already top priorities, the concept of applying this rigor to Live Service games was still foreign to many studios.

The biggest challenge in those early years was creating awareness. We weren’t just selling services, we were driving a mindset shift. We had to educate the market on why topics like penetration testing and large-scale load testing were mission-critical for modern multiplayer games.

To make that shift happen, we invested heavily in marketing and sales, not just to get visibility, but to spark urgency. And while we still invest in those areas today, we’re now in a completely different landscape. These conversations are no longer niche; they’re being driven by major publishers and mandated across the board.

Looking back, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how far the industry has come, and to know we’ve played a real part in shaping that evolution.”

Pillars of Power: Expanding Our Services

The results of focused sales and marketing were swift, leading to significant expansion. The team grew, bringing in dedicated marketing and and content specialists. With increased client demand came the opportunity to broaden our offerings. Penetration testing, always at our core, was soon complemented by software development, a natural fit that many clients sought. In the years that followed, load testing became the third essential pillar of Cyrex, cementing our comprehensive approach to digital security and performance.

Our evolution also opened doors to working with larger clients and iconic titles. We’ve had the privilege of securing games for giants like Amazon Games, Tencent, Warner Bros, 2K, Epic Games, and projects including Dune: Awakening, Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, Doom Eternal. We even ventured into the dynamic world of blockchain services, applying our penetration testing, load testing, and security stability expertise to innovative teams such as Immutable, Illuvium, and Mythical Games.

Navigating Change: Adapting and Evolving

Co-founder & CTO Tim De Wachter shared his thoughts on Cyrex’s ongoing evolution:

Question for Tim: “Cyrex has adapted significantly over the past 10 years, particularly with the Magic Media merger and the launch of proprietary tech like Cyrex Swarm. What do you see as the most critical factor for Cyrex’s continued evolution?”

Tim: “Within Cyrex there is a natural culture of taking on challenges and innovating. We have never shied away from exploring and using new technologies, on the contrary, we embrace them. Every project and game that we work on is unique and it forces us to improve ourselves and think outside of the box. Together with our overall hacker mindset this forces us to improve the company every day.”

Milestones and Major Achievements: The Path to 10 Years Strong

The journey to a decade has been punctuated by remarkable achievements and strategic advancements.

• The year 2023 saw us not only continue our work with major clients but also embark on a significant new chapter. We entered the world of SaaS, developing products and tools designed for end-users to enhance their security autonomously. This marked a shift towards offering direct, self-service solutions, alongside our bespoke consultancy. Our team grew to over sixty dedicated professionals, a testament to our continuous expansion and the increasing demand for our services. We also expanded our global footprint further, acquiring a development agency in Lisbon to bolster our software development capabilities.
• Then came 2024, a truly transformative year. A monumental highlight was our merger with the Magic Media group. This strategic integration with an international gaming and entertainment service provider amplified our capabilities and extended our reach within the industry. Together, we’ve already begun to expand our combined offerings, promising even more exciting ventures in the years to come.
• Furthermore, 2024 brought phenomenal external validation. We were honored to receive glowing testimonials from industry titans Amazon Games and Tencent. These endorsements, particularly the rare testimonial from Amazon Games, underscore our deep technical expertise and partnership mentality in delivering crucial penetration and load testing services. Becoming a Gold Partner with Tencent Global further solidified our position, enabling us to provide consistent and integrated support for their security and scalability needs.
• Finally, 2024 marked the full commercialization of Cyrex Swarm, our proprietary headless load testing tool. With 8 years of internal use and refinement, Swarm transitioned from a pilot program to a mature, customer-facing product, empowering clients with independent, on-demand load testing capabilities.

Throughout it all, we’ve remained at the forefront of technological advancements. Our proactive exploration of AI technology in security, leveraging it to identify vulnerabilities and enhance tester productivity, ensures we continue to innovate and provide cutting-edge solutions.

Lessons Learned and Pride in Our Progress

We asked our founders for their personal reflections:

Question for Mat: “What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self, knowing what you know now about building Cyrex over the last decade?”

Mat: “As a perfectionist, one of the hardest, but most valuable, lessons I learned was that excellent is often more than enough. In the early days, I paid close attention to every detail, but I gradually realized that perfection isn’t scalable, especially when building a company that relies on many talented individuals and moving parts.

That mindset shift was a turning point. It allowed us to grow faster, empower our team, and still consistently exceed client expectations. We continue to hold ourselves to very high standards, and we’re still far ahead of the curve in terms of quality, but I’ve learned to let go of the need for absolute perfection. The results speak for themselves, and the feedback from our partners only reinforces that we’re on the right track. That brings real peace of mind.”

Question for Tim: “What are you most proud of when you look at Cyrex today, ten years on?”

Tim: “The team that we have built over the years. Building any kind of team is no easy feat, but bringing together professionals in the cybersecurity field combined with gaming is rather rare. Any new team member coming into our team has to learn a lot from the first day and they never stop learning while being a part of Cyrex. And I’m extremely proud of the team that we have right now and looking back and seeing their growth over the years is very rewarding.”

The Future is Secure with Cyrex

Our journey over the last 10 years has been extraordinary, driven by a commitment to innovation, a passion for problem-solving, and a team that consistently goes above and beyond. We’ve grown from a small, agile team to a global entity, continuously expanding our expertise and services to meet the evolving demands of the digital landscape.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible team, our valued partners, and our loyal clients. Your trust and collaboration have been instrumental in shaping Cyrex into the company it is today. As games become more online-focused and integrated, the need for robust security and stability is paramount, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this crucial mission.

Looking Ahead: The Next Decade

Finally, we asked both Mat and Tim about what lies on the horizon for Cyrex:

Question: “As you look to the next decade, what is the single most exciting opportunity or challenge you foresee for Cyrex and the cybersecurity industry as a whole?”

Tim: “I believe we can all agree that AI is both the biggest opportunity and challenge in cybersecurity for the upcoming years. Security is a constantly evolving field, both on the offensive and defensive side keeping each other in balance. It’s our job as security professionals to make sure that the good guys stay slightly ahead of the bad guys and with AI this playing field is just evolving even faster.”

Mat: “Absolutely agree with Tim. With the fast-paced rise of AI, we’ll need to reinvent ourselves to a certain degree, or at the very least, adapt. Luckily, we’re in a strong position. Security is already niche, and our focus on the gaming industry makes us even more specialized, essentially a niche within a niche. That gives us a strategic edge, as we’re navigating highly complex waters that many have yet to enter.

While the market is still catching up, we’ve been preparing for this technical revolution. We’ve been quietly building internally, and what we’re working on will once again put us far ahead of the curve. The difference this time is that we’re not starting from scratch. We’re capitalizing on a decade of hard-won success and a portfolio that speaks for itself. Being a pioneer doesn’t mean having to create awareness anymore, we already have the trust, credibility, and momentum. Now it’s about scaling that leadership.”

The future for Cyrex is bright. We will continue to innovate, leverage cutting-edge technologies like AI, and expand our offerings to provide even more accessible and autonomous security solutions. Here’s to the next decade of breaking, building, and scaling software for a safer digital world!

The post Cyrex: A Decade Protecting Digital Realms. appeared first on Cyrex.

Building Together: Inside the 2025 Cyrex Hackathon with Amazon Games

At Cyrex, our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and hands-on technical excellence has always been at the core of who we are. Every year, we bring our engineering team together for an in-person event, an opportunity to deepen our team culture, explore new technologies, and push the boundaries of our own capabilities.

But this year’s hackathon was something special.

Held in Istanbul, our 2025 edition saw Amazon Games – a valued Cyrex partner – join us on-site for four days of deep-dive cybersecurity challenges, real-world testing, and meaningful face-to-face collaboration.

From CTFs to Real-World Pen Testing

In past years, our annual team gathering typically featured a Capture-the-Flag (CTF) challenge, packed with puzzles that flex our skills in cryptography, reverse engineering, and exploitation.
This time, we shifted gears.

Our Co-Founder and COO, Mathieu Huysman, proposed a bold evolution of the event: a security-focused hackathon grounded in real-world penetration testing, with Amazon Games’ New World (MMO) as the primary focus. Instead of theoretical targets, we aimed to benchmark a live environment – mirroring the kinds of engagements our team handles every day.

With around 20 engineers from both Cyrex and Amazon Games working side-by-side, the event became more than a test – it was a collaborative benchmarking exercise, a training ground, and a glimpse into the future of our shared efforts.

“We didn’t just explore the hype – we tackled real-world problems with practical tools and fresh thinking.”

As our teams dug into the technical work, the benefits of being together in person quickly became apparent – not just in terms of efficiency, but in the quality of our collaboration and the exchange of ideas.

“It was incredible to see the team come together for such a major effort. penetration testing a game as complex and large-scale as New World and with such an impressive protection in place. In an era where digital interactions often replace in-person ones, being in the same room truly made a difference. It pushed us to go the extra mile (many of them) while having fun and learning a lot along the way.”

“Beyond the penetration testing challenges, our development team took the opportunity to dive deep into AI research and experimentation. From standalone projects focused on QA automation to real-time solutions in development workflows, project management, and even recruitment, the hackathon became a playground for innovation. We didn’t just explore the hype, we tackled real-world problems with practical tools and fresh thinking.”

“AI isn’t new to us. It’s already a core part of our daily operations. Whether it’s accelerating code reviews, enhancing test coverage, or streamlining candidate screening, we continuously integrate AI into our processes to boost both productivity and quality. This hackathon reinforced that mindset and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible when creativity meets the right technology.”

— Rui Molefas, Head of Operations at Cyrex

“It was a nice experience, as we were able to finally meet in person. There were a few new ideas and mini-projects that caught my attention, which could be implemented in our work – so definitely an interesting few days.”

— Nikola Lazarevic, Technical Project Manager at Cyrex

“Working with the Cyrex team in Istanbul was both informative and incredibly fun.
Their team brought together this amazing mix of technical expertise and genuine passion for gaming that made the whole event feel like a collaborative adventure. While they confirmed we’re doing great work with our security foundations, they also helped us identify valuable opportunities to make New World and AGiD even more secure. That’s the magic of live hacking events – you get real experts thinking creatively about your systems while having a blast doing it!”

— Ben Zigh, Head of Security Engineering at Amazon Games

More Than a Hackathon

Beyond the vulnerabilities discovered and techniques explored, this hackathon served as a unique touchpoint for two organizations committed to excellence in cybersecurity and game development. For Amazon Games, it provided a rare opportunity to see how their infrastructure holds up against a concentrated, expert team of ethical hackers. For Cyrex, it was a chance to sharpen our edge, test theories, and explore future-facing ideas – like a potential Cyrex bug bounty platform.

And for everyone involved, it was a reminder of what happens when brilliant minds come together with a shared purpose.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to grow our partnership with Amazon Games and expand our capabilities as a team, we’re proud to say this year’s hackathon was a milestone – not just in terms of security insights gained, but in the culture, trust, and knowledge we built together.

Whether it’s through rigorous pen testing, forward-thinking R&D, or simply sharing ideas across the table, Cyrex remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what secure, scalable systems can be – and having some fun along the way.

The post Building Together: Inside the 2025 Cyrex Hackathon with Amazon Games appeared first on Cyrex.

Penetration Testing for Games, SaaS & Web3: Why Security Matters

Penetration testing is the process of simulating real-world cyberattacks to identify and fix vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. For game studios and digital applications, especially those handling multiplayer services, player data, or in-game transactions, it’s not just beneficial — it’s essential.

In a competitive digital landscape where threats are constant and downtime is costly, Cyrex offers best-in-class penetration testing services trusted by global leaders like Amazon Games, Improbable, and Tencent.

What Is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing (also known as pen testing or ethical hacking) is a proactive cybersecurity measure where security experts simulate cyberattacks against your application, network, or infrastructure. The goal is to uncover exploitable vulnerabilities, logic flaws, and architectural weaknesses.

Key Types of Penetration Testing We Offer:

• White Box Testing – In-depth testing with full access to source code and architecture. The most complete offering.
• Black Box Testing – Simulates an external attacker with no prior knowledge.
• Grey Box Testing – A mix of both.

Why Game Studios and SaaS Applications Need Pen Testing

Whether you’re building an online game or scaling a high-traffic application, security threats are inevitable. Here’s why Cyrex’ penetration testing makes a critical difference:

1. Multiplayer Games and Online Worlds
   Online games are frequent targets for DDoS attacks, account takeovers, and cheating exploits. Our game-specific testing identifies exploits in matchmaking, player data access, microtransactions, and more.
2. SaaS and Software Applications
   SaaS apps handling personal data, payments, and business logic require airtight API security, role-based access control testing, and business logic validation — all included in our methodology.
3. Blockchain and Web3 Projects
   Smart contracts and crypto integrations need precise logic testing. We provide custom pen testing that covers traditional Web3 security and Decentralised Applications like marketplaces & staking platforms.

Our Proven Pen Testing Methodology

Cyrex’ pen testing services follow a rigorous, standards-driven methodology tailored to your product.

1. Scoping & Objective Setting
   We align with your development, DevOps, and security teams to define goals — from login flow abuse to full API hardening.
2. Reconnaissance & Enumeration
   Using both manual research and advanced tools, we map your system for potential attack vectors.
3. Exploitation
   We safely exploit any discovered vulnerabilities to assess their impact and depth.
4. Reporting & Risk Assessment
   You receive a detailed report with:
   • Severity-ranked vulnerabilities
   • Exploitation pathways
   • Remediation guidance
   • Screenshots and replication steps
5. Retesting & Verification
   After you’ve addressed the issues, we re-test to ensure all vulnerabilities are fully patched.

Case Study Highlights

Nightingale

For Inflexion Games’ gaslamp Victorian survival-crafting adventure, Cyrex conducted full-spectrum white box testing across Unreal Engine, live services, and critical gameplay systems — from matchmaking to realm management. Our work ensured secure portal travel, fair combat, and stable multiplayer experiences.

“Cyrex provided tailored Unreal Engine solutions and fortified dynamic PVE/PVP systems to support a secure and scalable launch.”

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Cyrex collaborated with Rocksteady Studios and Warner Bros. to harden this highly anticipated action shooter. Our Unreal Engine 4-focused testing covered shooting mechanics, reward systems, matchmaking, and cross-platform security.

“By identifying vulnerabilities early, we enabled Rocksteady to deliver a seamless and secure experience across PC and console.”

Wayfinder

Cyrex secured this PlayStation and PC Adventure RPG through rigorous white box testing of multiplayer RPCs, back-end APIs, and store systems, as well as party, dungeon, and battlepass mechanics.

“Cyrex’s analysis of our backend and Unreal RPCs was comprehensive and invaluable.” – Digital Extremes

Warhammer 40K: Speed Freeks

Our hybrid testing approach (security + load testing) simulated 100,000 concurrent users while fortifying combat, chat, authentication, and vehicle customization in this high-speed, PVP racing brawler.

“A game-changer. Cyrex helped us solve performance and security at scale.” – Caged Element

Gods Unchained

Immutable’s Ethereum-powered card battler was put through its paces with web client, API, and backend penetration testing, alongside rigorous load simulation of tens of thousands of concurrent users.

“Cyrex earned our trust through domain expertise and high-quality deliverables.” – Immutable

Not Just for Games: Scalable Security for Digital Products

While our reputation is forged in the gaming world, our penetration testing services extend to enterprise software, blockchain platforms, e-learning applications, web and mobile apps, and any digital product where security is critical.

Our team is equipped to test:

• SaaS and B2B applications
• Web3 and DeFi platforms
• Mobile ecosystems
• Game-adjacent platforms (launchers, marketplaces, API-driven services)

Why Choose Cyrex?

With over 10 years of experience and a team of 60+ seasoned engineers, Cyrex is the go-to cybersecurity partner for studios and companies building at scale.

What Sets Us Apart:

• Game-focused testing for multiplayer, metaverse, and blockchain
• Tailored strategies for complex infrastructure
• Manual + automated testing for maximum coverage
• Clear, actionable reports designed for developers

How Pen Testing Enhances Your DevOps and Security Posture

Penetration testing fits directly into your CI/CD or DevSecOps pipeline. By identifying risks early, you:

• Minimize technical debt
• Protect production uptime
• Strengthen compliance with GDPR, PCI-DSS, ISO, etc.
• Improve player trust and platform reputation

FAQs: Penetration Testing for Games and Applications

What’s the difference between pen testing and vulnerability scanning?

Vulnerability scanning is automated and often superficial. Penetration testing is manual and strategic, simulating how a real attacker would breach your system.

How often should I run a pen test?

We recommend testing every major release, or bi-annually for live systems. For games, key moments include pre-launch, post-update, and new region rollouts.

What’s included in Cyrex’s report?

Our report includes:

• Vulnerability list (ranked by risk)
• Attack path visualizations
• Developer-friendly remediation advice
• Retest confirmation

Will it disrupt our live game or app?

Not at all. We align testing with your environment and often perform non-intrusive, low-impact testing for live services.

How is game penetration testing different?

Games often include non-standard logic, anti-cheat, P2P networking, and custom authentication flows. Our engineers are gamers and specialists who know how to break and secure what standard testers might miss.

Ready to Test Your Defenses?

Whether you’re launching a live game or scaling a high-demand application, Cyrex helps you deploy with confidence. Talk to our penetration testing team today and uncover the security gaps before an attacker does.

Get in touch with Cyrex’s security experts now

The post Ultimate Guide to Penetration Testing for Game Studios and Digital Applications appeared first on Cyrex.

In today’s gaming landscape, success can be a double-edged sword. When a title goes viral or spikes in popularity, servers get hammered, systems creak, and crashes aren’t just possible – they’re inevitable without preparation.

Players expect a flawless experience from minute one. They won’t tolerate lag, downtime, or broken matchmaking. That’s where load testing steps in – not as a last-minute fix, but as a foundational part of game development.

At Cyrex, we’ve helped some of the biggest titles in the industry prepare for scale. With our proprietary Swarm load testing solution, we simulate millions of users to uncover critical performance limits before they become player complaints.

What Is Load Testing – and Why Basic Isn’t Enough

Load testing simulates user traffic to evaluate how a system performs under pressure. But in the gaming world, “load” doesn’t just mean logins – it means gameplay logic, matchmaking, ability casting, store purchases, and everything in between.

We focus on the full picture:

• Stress Testing – Push the system to its absolute limits
• Spike Testing – Evaluate how the game handles sudden surges
• Soak Testing – Sustain high loads over time to reveal memory leaks or degradation
• Concurrency Simulations – Model real-world user behavior across global servers

And we do all of this using headless, high-performance bots that replicate real user actions – not just empty API calls.

Swarm by Cyrex: Load Testing Without Limits

Meet Cyrex Swarm, our proprietary load testing engine built for game studios who need more than just average testing.

• No hardware bottlenecks – Simulate hundreds of thousands of virtual users
• Fully headless – Bots behave like real players, without rendering engines
• Engine-agnostic – Works with Unity, Unreal, and custom backends
• Custom scenario scripting – We simulate real in-game logic, not just dummy traffic

Whether you’re testing login flows or complex PvP mechanics, Cyrex Swarm adapts to your infrastructure and helps you pinpoint bottlenecks before your players do.

Case Study Highlights: How We Helped Big Titles Stay Big

Gods Unchained (Immutable)

An Ethereum L2 trading card game where ownership is everything. Cyrex partnered with Immutable to deliver both white box penetration testing and load testing across:

• Back-end APIs & live services
• Secure multiplayer gameplay (Mirror Messages)
• Web platform, Electron launcher, Unity game client
• Complex flows like item minting, dungeon runs, hero merging, and squad editing

Outcome: A rock-solid foundation for a blockchain-integrated multiplayer game.

Warhammer 40K: Speed Freeks (Caged Element + PLAION)

A high-octane combat racing game that demanded serious performance at scale. Our engineers executed a 100,000 CCU simulation across:

• Authentication via Steam & Xbox
• Vehicle physics, loadouts, ability systems
• Real-time combat and matchmaking
• In-game chat and multiplayer lobbies

“Working with Cyrex on security and load testing for Warhammer 40K: Speed Freeks was a game-changer.” – Caged Element

Call of the Wild: The Angler (Avalanche Studios Group)

An open-world fishing sim with online co-op for up to 12 players. With a vast environment and seamless multiplayer, stability was key. We tested:

• Online matchmaking
• Registration & authentication
• UDP-based gameplay mechanics

Using Cyrex Swarm, we identified and resolved performance issues that could have impacted launch-day stability.

Rumbleverse (Iron Galaxy Studios + Epic Games Publishing)

A brawler battle royale that launched with intense concurrent action. Cyrex simulated over 10,000 virtual players, focusing on:

• Account registration
• Game matchmaking
• In-game store functionality

We worked directly with the dev team to resolve scalability bottlenecks, ensuring a smooth player experience from day one.

Ready to Scale with Confidence?

From indie launches to AAA releases, Cyrex has helped studios large and small fortify their infrastructure and crush performance goals.

Whether you’re preparing for launch, planning a live ops update, or running a blockchain-integrated game, we’re here to help.

Let’s talk.

Secure your game, scale for millions, and deliver the experience your players expect – Get in touch with our team today.

The post Load Testing in Gaming: Scaling for Millions Without Breaking a Sweat appeared first on Cyrex.