lockbit2 attacks gordoncounty.or...
Incident Date:
April 6, 2022
Overview
Title
lockbit2 attacks gordoncounty.or...
Victim
gordoncounty.or...
Attacker
Lockbit2
Location
First Reported
April 6, 2022
Ransomware Attack on Explore Gordon County
Explore Gordon County, a hospitality sector organization based in Georgia, has reportedly been targeted by the ransomware group Lockbit2. The victim's website is https://www.exploregordoncounty.com/, and the company operates in the hospitality sector, offering various activities and attractions in the Calhoun area.
Company Overview
Explore Gordon County is a tourism and hospitality organization that promotes the attractions and activities available in the Calhoun area of Gordon County, Georgia. The company's website provides information on things to do, including paddling the rivers and lakes, hiking or biking the scenic nature trails, and touring local farms.
Vulnerabilities and Threats
The hospitality industry has been a frequent target for cybercriminals due to the sector's reliance on digital technologies and the vast amount of sensitive data they handle. In recent years, ransomware attacks have become increasingly common, with the average cost of a hospitality data breach reaching $3.36 million in 2023, up from $2.94 million in 2022.
Explore Gordon County, like many hospitality organizations, likely has a broad range of connected technologies, including check-in kiosks, digital keycards, and automated systems, which are essential to their operations. However, these technologies also make them vulnerable to ransomware attacks, which can lock down systems and demand ransom payments in exchange for decryption.
Recent Cyberattacks in the Hospitality Sector
The hospitality industry has seen several high-profile ransomware attacks in recent years. For example, in mid-2023, MGM Resorts International suffered a massive cyberattack that resulted in over $100 million in costs and the theft of customer credit card information. In September 2023, Caesars Entertainment confirmed a major breach in which attackers stole the company's loyalty program database, containing highly personal information, including driver's license details and social security numbers for a significant number of customers.
Mitigating Ransomware Attacks
To mitigate the risk of ransomware attacks, hospitality organizations should adopt a security-first culture among staff, educate employees on cybersecurity best practices, and implement robust access controls. Regular software updates and patch management are also crucial in preventing ransomware attacks that exploit unpatched vulnerabilities.
The ransomware attack on Explore Gordon County highlights the ongoing threat of cybercrime in the hospitality sector. As the industry continues to rely on digital technologies, it is essential for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity measures to protect their sensitive data and operations from potential attacks.
Sources
- Explore Gordon County, GA | Things To Do in Calhoun
- 3 Cyberattacks That Devastated Hospitality in 2023 and 2024
- Ransomware Attacks in the Hospitality Industry
- Ransomware Tracker 2024: Recent Ransomware Attacks - Spin.AI
Recent Ransomware Attacks
The Recent Ransomware Attacks (RRA) site acts as a watchtower, providing you with near real-time ransomware tracking of attacks, groups and their victims. Given threat actors’ overarching, lucrative success so far, ransomware attacks have become the most ubiquitous, and financially and informationally impactful cyber threat to businesses and organizations today.
The site’s data is generated based on hosting choices of real-world threat actors, and a handful of other trackers. While sanitization efforts have been taken, we cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the data. Attack updates will be made as source data is reported by reputable sources. By viewing, accessing, or using RRA you acknowledge you are doing so at your own risk.