MGM Resorts hit with major cyberattack to crucial systems

Hackers have caused considerable disruption to key systems at MGM Resorts, with reservation and booking, hotel key cards, and casino floors all impacted by the attack.

The breach also reportedly caused the hotel and entertainment company’s email systems to shut down.

Guests took to X (Twitter) to express their frustration, reporting that casino and room key cards were malfunctioning. The online check-in system was also non-functional, leading to long lines of approximately two hours at physical check-in counters according to guests.

The TV service is down. The pool is cash only. This is a disaster. pic.twitter.com/PDNhoo6giS

— Rhetoric Facer 🇺🇸 (@John_Monahan) September 13, 2023

MGM Grand currently. Cosmo is about the only MGM property functioning right now. pic.twitter.com/3IW3OVtSzM

— Vicki Osier (@littlevickster) September 12, 2023

In response, MGM Resorts issued a statement, saying, “MGM Resorts recently identified a cybersecurity issue affecting some of the company’s systems. 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.”

pic.twitter.com/nxIweGInsB

— MGM Resorts (@MGMResortsIntl) September 11, 2023

MGM tried to reassure its customers that their resorts, including dining, entertainment, and gaming, were operational a day after the incident. They also assured guests that they could access their hotel rooms and that the front desk staff were ready to assist as needed.

pic.twitter.com/Ir6IhOdN9X

— MGM Resorts (@MGMResortsIntl) September 12, 2023

However, guests continued to face issues. Customers have complained about phone lines being down, making it impossible to cancel or reschedule reservations. Employees have also voiced concerns about being unable to access their schedules and the potential delay of their pay checks.

MGM Resorts filed a Form 8-K report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the cyberattack. The 8-K report is used to announce unscheduled material events or corporate changes that could be of significance to shareholders or the SEC.

This isn’t the first time MGM Resorts has suffered a cyberattack. In 2020, the personal details of more than 10.6 million guests who stayed at MGM Resorts hotels were published on a hacking forum. The leak included personal and contact details for celebrities, tech CEOs, reporters, government officials, and employees at some of the world’s largest tech companies.

At the time of this report, the MGM Resorts webpage remains down.

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