MGM Executive Says Company Offered Cybersecurity Help to Boyd Gaming

MGM Resorts International said its cybersecurity team contacted Boyd Gaming Corp. after Boyd reported a recent cyberattack in a federal filing.

MGM CTO Highlights Industry Threats While Detailing Support for Boyd Gaming

This came to light during a Nevada Gaming Commission meeting last week. There, commissioners gave the green light to John Branden Newman staying on as MGM’s chief technology officer. They asked him about the Boyd incident and the big attack on MGM in 2023.

Newman said MGM’s team reached out to Boyd right after the breach became known, offering technological help, reported The Las Vegas Review-Journal. He did not share specifics on the aid provided, but mentioned that MGM’s current head of cybersecurity worked with Boyd’s group at that time.

The executive, who worked for the US Air Force and Defense Department before joining the business world, has dealt with big breaches before. He led MGM’s cybersecurity when hackers messed up operations at the company’s Las Vegas sites two years back, causing service problems and financial losses.

Newman admitted that sophisticated groups still target the gaming industry. He called the 2023 breach a “very difficult period” for MGM, which forced them to rebuild systems and add new protections. He told regulators that the company has put in place extra safety measures and keeps a close eye on cyber threats with help from federal investigators.

MGM Executive Says Criminal Networks Exploit Young Hackers in Casino Breaches

The hearing also covered the ongoing court case related to the 2023 attack. Prosecutors have charged a teenager, now 17, who took part in the incident when he was 15. They have filed several charges, including identity theft, extortion, and plotting to extort, and want him tried as an adult.

Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Togliatti commented on the unexpected youth of many cybercrime suspects, quipping that regulators would need “to go to proms” to stay ahead of new threats. Newman pointed out that older criminals often exploit young recruits, using them as buffers to protect themselves from law enforcement. He mentioned that MGM employees are helping the FBI in their attempts to track down these ringleaders.

Despite the major setbacks MGM and Boyd have faced from recent cyberattacks, Newman emphasized that teamwork across the industry is key. He said that these are not one-off incidents, highlighting how crucial it is to share information and work together on defense strategies, as casinos and other hospitality companies continue to be prime targets for criminal groups.