Resorts World Las Vegas Searching Rooms Daily for Hacking Tech

This week, visitors to Resorts World on the Las Vegas Strip were given a startling surprise: even with a "Do Not Disturb" sign hanging outside their room, daily inspections are carried out.

The inspections are thought to be Resorts World's response to two sizable, back-to-back cyberconventions in the area. Cybersecurity specialists visually inspect the room for equipment that may be used to attack computers. While Def Con 32 will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Thursday through Sunday, Black Hat USA began on Saturday and will continue there through Thursday.

These conferences draw industry experts, policymakers, business executives, and, of course, hackers who want to learn about the most recent developments in cybersecurity and hear about business-related concerns.

The inspections at Resorts World started on Monday and will end on Sunday. The casino resort stated they had been carried out with the "highest respect for our guests’ privacy and convenience, following strict protocols to ensure minimal disruption to their stay" in a statement to the newspaper Las Vegas Review-Journal.

 

Hacked Once, Shy Twice

Members of the hacker collective Scattered Spider attacked MGM and Caesars Entertainment, the two biggest casino operators on the Las Vegas Strip, in September 2023, albeit Resorts World was not one of their targets.

MGM's choice to forgo paying a ransom resulted in over $100 million in lost earnings after the attack severely affected the company's US properties. Caesars responded differently, opting to fork up a reported $15 million ransom.

While no cyberattack has been linked by authorities to cyberconventions in Las Vegas, Resorts World isn't prepared to take any chances.

“These inspections are a standard practice in many of Las Vegas’ premiere hotels, particularly during periods of increased foreseeable risk, where vigilance is critical,” its statement read. “These inspections are a precautionary measure intended to enhance our on-site security presence (both physical security and cybersecurity), maintain the integrity of our property’s services, and safeguard our guests, business partners, and staff against potential cyberattack threats.”