MGM Resorts International is grappling with the aftermath of a cyberattack which took place five days ago, impacting its landmark Las Vegas venues, Bellagio and the MGM Grand. The company confirmed its ongoing efforts to mitigate the issue on Thursday. In a related development, Caesars Entertainment unveiled that they too had been the victim of a cyber onslaught.
MGM Resorts was attacked by hackers last Sunday, leading to a disruption in its daily operations. Access to rooms, functioning of slot and ATM machines, and the company's website were all compromised. "We are actively addressing our cybersecurity challenges and catering to our guests' individual concerns," stated MGM Resorts on Thursday, acknowledging the dedication of their staff and thanking their customers for their patience.
However, patience is thin for visitors like Walter Haywood. He narrated his experience, stating, "There were malfunctioning machines and long queues. It was absolute chaos."
MGM Resorts has admitted to the attack but refrained from sharing specifics regarding its origin or the culprits.
Prompt measures were taken post the cyber breach to secure MGM's systems and data, the company revealed. The FBI is currently scrutinizing the attack, having been in touch with MGM since the incident. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, associated with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, mentioned their ongoing communications with MGM Resorts regarding the cyberattack's impact.
Nevada's Governor, Joe Lombardo, and the Nevada Gaming Board jointly asserted their close monitoring of the situation, ensuring regular communication with MGM Resorts and other relevant law enforcement agencies.
An online research group, VX-Underground, has claimed that the ransomware faction "ALPHV", also known as Black Cat, is possibly the architect behind the MGM cyber breach. This, however, hasn't been verified by officials. "A LinkedIn search and a short call to the Help Desk is all it took for ALPHV to hack MGM Resorts," claimed VX-Underground.
Bloomberg recently reported that Caesars Entertainment had also been targeted by the same ransomware group earlier this month. The company allegedly paid a substantial amount to regain their data. Caesars Entertainment, which manages over 50 resorts, including the famed Caesars Palace and Harrah's in Las Vegas, admitted to the cyberattack in a recent filing with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission.
Caesars clarified in the filing that while they didn't pay any ransom, they might face significant costs related to the attack. The stolen data reportedly included personal details like driver’s license and Social Security numbers from a significant portion of their loyalty program members. The company expressed its efforts in ensuring the deletion of the pilfered data, though certainty cannot be guaranteed.
Kommentare