The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan is reopening its venues after a ransomware attack on February 9.
Following the ransomware attack, the tribe halted all gaming operations while working with law enforcement to investigate the incident.
In an open letter published in the Salt Tribe Guardian on February 14, the unnamed hacker group said that it had contacted the tribe’s board of directors multiple times but with no response.
The group also denied that there was a $5 million ransom figure but confirmed that its motives were purely financial.
In the weeks since the attack, the Tribe has engaged with legal and cyber security experts to enhance its IT systems to prevent future attacks and is now reopening its venues.
The first venue reopened yesterday at the Kewadin Casino Sault Ste Marie. Kewadin Casino St. Ignace is set to reopen on February 28, and Kewadin Casinos Manistique, Christmas and Hessel will reopen on March 3.
“Some tribal organisations were impacted more severely than others and are still recovering, but we’re fortunate to be able to reopen Kewadin’s doors and continue serving as a prime entertainment destination for the eastern U.P.,” said Sault Tribe Chairman Austin Lowes.
“To our guests who were unable to visit us during this time, I am very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. Our team worked with outside cybersecurity experts around the clock to make the necessary steps to strengthen and enhance our IT systems, and we are open and ready for business.”