Las Vegas’s iconic skyline, which boasts the MGM Grand amongst other landmarks, faced an unexpected challenge this week. MGM Resorts International, a behemoth in the hospitality industry, reported a significant “cybersecurity issue” which led to the shutdown of its computer systems across the U.S.
Immediate Fallout
With a cyber onslaught on Sunday, MGM Resorts saw a paralyzing vulnerability, leading them to take a drastic measure – halting computer operations at numerous MGM properties until further notice.
In a bid to address the crisis head-on, MGM Resorts International announced that they have enlisted the aid of external cybersecurity specialists. A statement released by the company and reviewed by USA Today stated: “Immediate action was taken to safeguard our systems and data. This included shutting down specific systems. We’re in the midst of a comprehensive investigation to understand the incident’s full spectrum.”
Casino goers and hotel guests have flooded social media with firsthand accounts of the incident’s repercussions. These range from ATM malfunctions, inoperable slot machines, dining service disturbances, and even disruptions in digital access to their rooms, as reported by TechCrunch.
Affected MGM Facilities
A significant number of MGM’s Grand Hotels & Casinos experienced these outages, spanning properties from Las Vegas to New York. A few of these include:
- The Aria
- Bellagio
- The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
- MGM Grand Detroit
- MGM Grand Las Vegas
- And several others
Booking Status
Prospective guests can still secure their reservations. However, due to the current circumstances, online booking has been temporarily disabled. Those wishing to book can do so via phone at 855.788.6775, with MGM Rewards members given an exclusive member services line available from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. PST at 866.761.7111.
For entertainment bookings such as resident artists, shows, or attractions, reservations can be made via Ticketmaster.com. Fans of Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, or other arena-based events should head to AXS.com for their ticketing needs.
What’s on the Horizon?
The full restoration of MGM’s computer systems is contingent upon a thorough understanding of the cyber attack’s depth, a process that remains ongoing. MGM’s spokesperson was unavailable for immediate commentary.
Federal agencies, including the FBI, are informed and actively monitoring the situation, The Associated Press reported. Social media channels, like On X (formerly Twitter), buzzed with updates, indicating that certain services like ATMs and slot machines remained offline as of Monday evening.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t MGM’s first cyber rodeo. A 2019 incident led to the leak of personal data for approximately 142 million guests, with data ranging from names to postal addresses, a situation uncovered by ZDNET.
As we await further updates, the digital age reminds us of its vulnerabilities and the ever-present need for fortified cybersecurity measures.
