Cyberattack Devastates State Services in Nevada

A devastating cyberattack has led to the shutdown of various state services in Nevada. While officials are working nonstop to resolve the issue, the problems persist.

No Personal Data Has Been Leaked, Officials Say

Nevada state offices have been forced to shut down in the wake of the severe cyberattack that happened earlier this week. Affected agencies include the Departments of Corrections, Motor Vehicles, Health and Human Services, and Public Safety. The Nevada Gaming Control Board’s website has also been down, although the agency is still operational, and no impact on the casino industry has been reported.

As a result of the attack, various services have been temporarily discontinued while officials are working on a solution. Some agencies have announced that their services will remain closed indefinitely until the matter is solved.

Among other things, various state websites, phone lines and services have halted their operations. As of the time of this writing, experts are working on a solution that will allow the aforementioned services to resume as soon as possible. In the meantime, the source of the attack is being investigated by the FBI.

Somewhat reassuringly, officials have stated that there has been no evidence that any personal information has been leaked. At the same time, there has been no information as to whether this is a case of a ransomware attack, and if so, whether a ransom demand has been issued.

Gambling Proves an Attractive Target to Cybercriminals

As mentioned, the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s website was also unavailable, hinting at a potential hit or precautionary measures.

Even if the casino industry hasn’t been affected directly, the recent cyberattack could have an effect on the Silver State’s flourishing gaming industry. Casino operators have found themselves under increased pressure following recent cyberattacks against some of the biggest US casino and hospitality players.

In 2023, Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts suffered serious ransomware issues, leading to a variety of setbacks, including loss of confidence and lawsuits from disgruntled customers who were unhappy that their personal information had been mishandled.

In any case, multiple experts have deemed the casino industry to be very vulnerable to hackers due to the large sums of money it is associated with. One of the latest gaming companies to suffer a cybersecurity incident was Bragg Gaming, a leading B2B provider of content and technology.