IGT Confirms Cyberattack Impacting Operations
November 22, 2024 Marija D
cyberattack. In a regulatory filing made public yesterday, IGT disclosed that an unauthorized third party had infiltrated its systems, leading to disruptions across certain internal information technology (IT) applications.
The company assured stakeholders that it was actively working to address the issue. According to the filing, IGT is “communicating with its customers and other stakeholders, as appropriate, and where possible, the company has implemented alternatives for certain operations in accordance with its business continuity plans to mitigate disruptions and continue servicing its customers.”
While the full extent of the breach remains under investigation, the attack serves as a stark reminder of the growing cybersecurity challenges faced by major operators and suppliers in the gaming industry.
Recent High-Profile Cyber Incidents
The cyberattack on IGT is one in a series of significant breaches targeting the gaming and hospitality sectors in recent years. In October 2023, MGM Resorts became a high-profile victim when a cyberattack led to widespread system outages. Thousands of slot machines, payment systems, ATMs, and other digital services across MGM’s U.S. properties were rendered inoperable. The incident left many guests locked out of their hotel rooms due to malfunctioning digital key systems.
Earlier, in August 2023, global gaming supplier Aristocrat faced a similar crisis. Hackers accessed and, in some cases, leaked personal data belonging to Aristocrat employees. This breach not only compromised sensitive staff information but also raised concerns about the industry’s preparedness to defend against such threats.
In November 2023, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore reported a breach exposing personal data of approximately 665,000 customers. The resort faced significant fallout as customer trust was impacted by the revelation of such extensive data exposure.
Long-Lasting Consequences of Cyberattacks
The effects of cyberattacks on gaming operators can be long-lasting. Okada Manila, an integrated resort in the Philippines, experienced severe operational challenges in November 2022 when it reported “technical issues” linked to its IT systems. These disruptions left most slot machines offline for months, causing financial and reputational damage.
These incidents demonstrate the vulnerability of gaming and hospitality operators to sophisticated cyber threats. As the sector becomes increasingly reliant on digital systems for operations and customer interactions, the risk of cyberattacks continues to grow.
IGT’s recent attack highlights the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures across the gaming industry. With a history of high-profile breaches, the sector must focus on proactive risk management, advanced threat detection, and comprehensive recovery plans.
As investigations into the IGT breach continue, the company’s response, including its business continuity measures, will be closely scrutinized. This incident reinforces the importance of cybersecurity preparedness not only for IGT but for all industry stakeholders who rely heavily on digital systems to manage their operations.
Source:
”IGT becomes latest gaming company to fall victim to cyberattack”, cdcgaming.com, November 21, 2024.
