MGM Hotels & Casinos found themselves in the crosshairs of a relentless cyberattack last Sunday. This malicious MGM cyber attack has compelled over a dozen MGM properties to suspend their operations temporarily, as the cybersecurity breach left the renowned resort chain exposed to vulnerabilities.
After the MGM cyber attack, the IT system was shut down
The digital landscape at all MGM Hotels & Casinos now lies dormant, with computer systems halted until further notice, pending the resolution of the cybersecurity problem. MGM Resorts International has swiftly responded by enlisting the assistance of external cybersecurity experts to tackle the issues that have attacked their systems.
A statement sourced from USA Today outlines the resort giant’s commitment to protecting its systems and data. They’ve taken decisive measures, including the temporary shutdown of specific systems, while their investigative efforts continue to discern the nature and scope of this incident. After the MGM cyber attack, the company also made an announcement on X to let all the visitors or customers know about the situation.
“Promptly after detecting the issue, we quickly began an investigation with assistance from leading external cybersecurity experts. We also notified law enforcement and took prompt action to protect our systems and data, including shutting down certain systems. Our investigation is ongoing, and we are working diligently to determine the nature and scope of the matter,” the statement of MGM cyber attack reads.
Guests affected, outages everywhere
The extent of the cyber breach remains somewhat shrouded in uncertainty. However, the impact on current guests is evident and palpable. Reports from TechCrunch reveal how this outage has rippled through the MGM experience. Guests are grappling with the inability to access ATMs, operate slot machines, dine at the resort’s restaurants, and utilize their digital room keys for entry. Charging expenses to their rooms has also become a challenge. It’s clear that this cyberattack has disrupted the seamless hospitality that MGM is renowned for.
MGM’s Grand Hotels & Casinos, including iconic establishments in Las Vegas and New York, have not escaped the reach of these outages. The list of affected properties is extensive, including Aria, Bellagio, Borgata, and many others. This wide-ranging impact underscores the need for a comprehensive response to tackle the situation effectively.
MGM Resorts International now finds itself at a crossroads, as the resolution of the cyberattack remains uncertain. Their computer systems are expected to stay offline until a clearer picture emerges for the company and the relevant authorities. Unfortunately, our attempts to reach an MGM spokesperson for comment have proven futile. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also closely monitors the situation, characterizing it as an ongoing event.
As of 5:17 p.m. ET on Monday, reports on X (formerly known as Twitter) indicated that ATMs and slot machines were still non-operational, further highlighting the persistence of the issue.
This isn’t the first time MGM has been in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. In 2019, the company faced a cybersecurity incident that saw the personal information of a staggering 142 million guests fall into the hands of hackers. This sensitive data, primarily comprising names, email addresses, and postal addresses, ended up on a dark web cybercrime marketplace, as reported by ZDNet. The current cyberattack underscores the relentless nature of cyber threats and the ever-present need for robust security measures in the digital age.
