MGM Resorts International Faces Cybersecurity Breach
On Monday, MGM Resorts International announced that some of its online systems are experiencing problems due to a “cybersecurity issue.” This has led to significant disruptions, particularly for customers located in Las Vegas, where cybersecurity experts have identified MGM as likely being the victim of a widespread cyberattack. The casino and hotel chain did not provide specific details about the disruptions nor indicate when the issue was first detected or when it began.
Immediate Actions Taken by MGM Resorts
In response to the cybersecurity threat, MGM has taken immediate protective measures to safeguard its systems and data. Part of these measures included shutting down certain systems. The company stated that law enforcement has been informed about the situation, but did not provide additional details. MGM Resorts also announced on its [social media](https://twitter.com/MGMResortsIntl/status/1701256032369164399) that an investigation is currently underway to ascertain the nature and scope of the incident.
Disruptions Experienced by Customers
Several signs of disruptions were observed, including the company’s website going offline on Monday evening. Reports from Facebook group users indicated that slot machines had ceased to function and difficulties were experienced when attempting to access hotel rooms at MGM’s resorts. [KTNV 13](https://www.ktnv.com/news/computer-system-outage-causing-issues-at-mgm-resorts), a Las Vegas-based TV station, reported that many gambling machines at hotels had gone offline, and several guests were unable to charge anything to their rooms, make reservations, or use their digital room keys.
Understanding the Impact of the Cybersecurity Issue
The number of people affected by the cybersecurity disruptions remains unclear at this point. MGM is a prominent casino and hotel company with thousands of hotel rooms in Las Vegas, including properties such as Mandalay Bay, Aria, the Bellagio, and MGM Grand Las Vegas. According to Greg Moody, an associate professor of information systems and cybersecurity at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a “cybersecurity issue” typically signifies that an individual or group has attacked the company’s network.
In the case of MGM, the attackers might have identified a weak point in the company’s defenses and exploited it to disable the company’s systems. Such attacks are generally initiated by hackers seeking to make a profit by holding the company’s data hostage until a ransom has been paid. The stolen data is often sold on underground online marketplaces, where buyers seek information that can be used for identity theft.
Cybersecurity Challenges for Large Companies
Large businesses such as MGM, which possesses a vast data set, are common targets for cyberattacks. Dr. Arthur Salmon, a professor of computing and information technology at the College of Southern Nevada, explained that three industries are often targeted due to the additional pressure to restore systems to normal: utility companies, hospitals, and casinos. The recovery process from a widespread cybersecurity attack can take months or even years.
Recent global cyberattacks have disrupted operations at [gasoline pipelines](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/08/business/colonial-pipeline-hack.html), [hospitals](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/20/technology/ransomware-attack-ireland-hospitals.html), and grocery chains. In 2019, MGM was the victim of a data breach that reportedly [affected about 10.6 million people](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/19/us/mgm-data-breach.html).
Original Story at www.nytimes.com – 2023-09-12 01:34:22
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