International Game Technology (IGT), a prominent gambling company in the United States, faced a significant cybersecurity incident on November 17, 2024, leading to disruptions across its operations. The breach impacted various internal IT systems critical to IGT’s services in providing technology for lotteries, gambling machines, and sports betting. In response to the cyberattack, IGT took several systems offline as part of its cybersecurity incident response.
The company disclosed the details of the cyberattack in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), revealing unauthorized access to certain systems that caused operational disruptions. Following the detection of the breach, IGT promptly activated its incident response plan and engaged external advisors to investigate and mitigate the data breach.
Despite the ongoing investigation, IGT has not yet determined the potential financial implications of the cyberattack. To contain the threat and safeguard its systems, the company proactively shut down some IT infrastructure while implementing business continuity measures to minimize disruptions and maintain customer services.
IGT, with its headquarters in London, employs over 11,000 individuals worldwide and reported revenues of $1.9 billion for the first nine months of 2024, highlighting its significant presence in the global gambling technology market. While no hacking group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the incident reflects a broader trend of cyberattacks targeting the gambling industry, with ransomware attacks becoming increasingly prevalent and damaging.
In a troubling pattern observed over the past year, casinos and lottery systems have been prime targets for cybercriminals, with incidents like the ransomware attack on the Ohio Lottery further underscoring the vulnerability of these organizations. The Ohio Lottery breach, occurring in December 2023, disrupted critical systems and led to the temporary suspension of certain services, affecting high-value prize claims and customer information access.
Ransomware has emerged as a favored tool for cybercriminals targeting the gambling and lottery sectors due to the potential for financial gain and the sensitivity of data managed by these industries. In response to the cyberattack, IGT has emphasized its commitment to mitigating the impact on its operations, actively engaging with customers and stakeholders to ensure transparency and service continuity.
To limit operational disruption and restore affected systems, IGT has implemented alternative solutions aligned with its business continuity plans. The company’s focus on adhering to its cybersecurity incident response plan and keeping stakeholders informed underscores its dedication to recovery and rebuilding customer confidence in the aftermath of the breach.
Moving forward, International Game Technology will prioritize the restoration of its systems and the reassurance of its customers as it navigates the fallout from the cyberattack. By maintaining transparency, communicating effectively with stakeholders, and executing recovery efforts diligently, IGT aims to regain stability and trust in its operations.
As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, organizations like IGT must remain vigilant and proactive in defending against potential threats to safeguard their operations and uphold customer trust.