Caesars, the publicly traded casino and entertainment company headquartered in Reno, recently suffered a data breach. While they reassured the public that their operations were not directly affected, they could not guarantee the safety of their customers’ personal information. This breach raised concerns about the exposure of sensitive data, such as driver’s license and Social Security numbers, belonging to loyalty rewards program members.
Despite this cybersecurity incident, Caesars has been actively expanding, with the launch of a temporary casino in Danville and plans for a $650 million resort in the Schoolfield area.
The group responsible for the breach, known as Scattered Spider or UNC3944, has been identified as a native English-speaking operation under the Russian-based organization ALPHV or BlackCat. They have been particularly aggressive in targeting hospitality and entertainment organizations.
Cybersecurity firm Mandiant describes Scattered Spider as a challenging group to defend against, using techniques like SMS phishing and phone calls to attempt password resets and bypass security measures.
This ransomware group has targeted over 100 organizations, primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Overall, Caesars’ data breach and the actions of Scattered Spider highlight the ongoing threat to personal information and the need for robust cybersecurity measures.
With over 65 million loyal Caesars Rewards members and a presence in 18 states and Canada, the company is a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Despite the breach, Caesars acted quickly to protect their customers, offering credit monitoring and identity theft protection. Thankfully, no sensitive financial information or passwords were compromised, and both their casino and online operations continue unaffected.
MGM Resorts International, another major player in the casino world, recently faced a similar cyberattack. The company swiftly shut down computer systems across its properties to safeguard data, leading to some disruptions for customers. Las Vegas casino floors and reservations were impacted, with reports of credit card transaction failures and inaccessible cash machines. MGM Resorts, known for iconic establishments like the MGM Grand and Bellagio, also operates internationally in China and Macau.
These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity in the gambling industry, where millions of loyal customers trust their personal information to these major companies. It’s clear that even the largest casino owners are not immune to cyber threats, but their proactive measures in response to these attacks show their commitment to protecting their customers’ data.
Cyberattack on MGM Resorts leads to ongoing investigation, remains a setback for computer systems. MGM employees assured of on-time pay despite offline systems. Recovery from cyberattacks can take months. Caesars Entertainment possibly paid $15 million ransom for data. Largest ransom paid to date stands at $40 million. deleting stolen data is not guaranteed.