Cybersecurity Attack Targets Media Giant Lee Enterprises

Media Giant Lee Enterprises, parent company of over 75 media platforms and 13 digital publications across the US, confirmed that a February 3 cybersecurity attack caused a recent disruption in newspaper distribution and the operation of its digital platforms. The company has yet to release further information.

As originally reported by the Lee-Enterprises-owned St. Louis Post-Dispatch, employees were originally informed of the cyberattack by an email on February 7. “We are now focused on determining what information – if any – may have been affected by the situation,” wrote CEO Kevin Mowbray, “We are working to complete this investigation as quickly and thoroughly as possible.”

In a 10-Q form submitted shortly thereafter, Lee Enterprises added: “The Company is actively investigating the incident, implementing recovery measures, and assessing the potential impact on its operations, financial condition, and internal controls. As of the date of this filing, the Company has not identified any impact that is material; however, the evaluation remains ongoing.”

The attack affected the distribution of newspapers like Virginia’s The Daily Progress, and The La Crosse Tribune in Wisconsin, which were unable to print newspapers for at least a week, and caused “technical difficulties” on the websites for papers like the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Casper Star-Tribune.

While some Lee Enterprises subsidiaries have resumed printing and distribution, many are still struggling to return to regular publication schedules. Some outlets have resorted to printing and delivering back issues to mitigate the impact.

The exact nature of the cyberattack remains unclear. Lee Enterprises has not disclosed whether it has received any communication from the attackers or if it has the technical means to determine whether data was accessed or stolen.

The attack disrupted multiple systems, including call center applications, phone lines, VPNs for remote employees, and single sign-on services. These outages contributed to delays in newspaper printing and delivery, as well as technical difficulties across digital platforms. As of February 10, the company is still working to fully restore its systems.

Some have sounded the alarm as to the possible implications of an attack like this on a distributor. Tensions are high as only in December last year, 9 US companies suffered what has since been called “the worst telecom hack in American history.”