Botswana Tourism Targeted by Lockbit2 Ransomware Group

Botswana Tourism, a prominent player in the Hospitality sector, has recently fallen victim to the Lockbit2 ransomware group. This company, accessible at https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/, is renowned for offering a diverse array of services such as safaris, mokoro rides, quad biking, fishing, and 4x4 off-road adventures. Additionally, it provides a wide range of accommodation options, including top-class hotels, luxury lodges, budget guesthouses, and camping grounds.

While the exact size of Botswana Tourism is not specified, the breadth of services offered suggests a substantial footprint in the tourism industry. The specific vulnerabilities that were exploited in the ransomware attack remain undisclosed.

The Threat Posed by Lockbit2

Lockbit2 is recognized for its destructive capabilities and extensive history of attacks, having targeted over 1,000 victims. This ransomware group's attack on Botswana Tourism is indicative of its continuous efforts to exploit vulnerabilities across various organizations, with a particular focus on the Hospitality sector.

The incident with Botswana Tourism underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures within the Hospitality sector. Organizations are advised to adhere to cybersecurity best practices such as preventing malicious code execution, ensuring systems are regularly updated, deploying multi-factor authentication, auditing credentials, segmenting account information, and maintaining a strong security posture overall.

The Lockbit2 ransomware attack on Botswana Tourism serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity within the Hospitality sector. It is imperative for organizations to remain vigilant and implement comprehensive security measures to safeguard against such threats.

Sources

• Botswana Tourism. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/
• Cybersecurity Blog. (December 2023). Biggest Cyber Attacks, Data Breaches, Ransomware Attacks. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.cm-alliance.com/cybersecurity-blog/december-2023-biggest-cyber-attacks-data-breaches-ransomware-attacks
• TechRepublic. (December 2023). BlackCat/ALPHV Ransomware Site Seized in International Takedown Effort. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.techrepublic.com/article/blackcat-ransomware-site-seized-in-international-takedown-effort/
• TechRepublic. (February 26, 2024). LockBit Back Online as Ransomware Gang Clashes with Law Enforcement. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.techrepublic.com/article/fbi-shut-down-lockbit-ransomware-group/
• ScienceDirect. (2023). An exploratory analysis of the cybersecurity threat landscape for tourism. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050923003885
• KrebsOnSecurity. (March 5, 2024). BlackCat Ransomware Group Implodes After Apparent $22M Ransom Payment by Change Healthcare. Retrieved April 10, 2024, from https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/03/blackcat-ransomware-group-implodes-after-apparent-22m-ransom-payment-by-change-healthcare/