Update 6 December on the virus attack on Nordic Choice Hotels' IT systems

In the wake of the virus attack on the night of 2 December, Nordic Choice Hotels has over the weekend worked to map the extent of the virus attack on the IT systems.

On the night of 2 December, Nordic Choice Hotels was hit by a virus attack on our IT systems. The virus infected systems for bookings, check-in and check-out, as well as payment solutions. After the incident, we have worked around the clock with internal and external resources to get an overview of the extent of the event, as well as restore the systems so that the operation of the hotels can return to normal.

– Over the weekend, we have managed to put in place replacement solutions at most of our hotels. The work is now in full swing to get everyone back into normal operation, something we think will be done within the next few days, says Bjørn Arild Wisth, Deputy CEO at Nordic Choice Hotels.

Nordic Choice Hotels informed the Norwegian Data Protection Authority and the Norwegian National Security Authority about the attack on 2 December. Our investigations do not currently give any indication that data has been leaked, but we can’t guarantee that is the case. Therefore, the incident entails a risk that information about the guests' bookings may be lost. This information consists of name, email address, telephone number, date of the visit and any information the guest may have provided in connection with their visit. There is no indication that card or payment information has been leaked.

– We do not know for sure yet, but since we see that there may be a risk that such information is leaked, we choose to inform about it now, so that our guests can be extra alert to any suspicious text messages, phone calls or emails, says Wisth.

The virus is a so-called ransomware virus called "Conti". Nordic Choice Hotels has chosen not to contact those behind the attack, nor have we received a specific demand from them. The matter has been reported, and we will assist the police in the investigation with all available information.

In a busy pre-Christmas period, the incident has unfortunately led to a slightly longer queue and waiting time for our guests, as a result of having to switch to manual operation at many of our hotels. Several hotels are now operating normally again and in just a few days, new systems will be up and running at all the affected hotels.

– We are thankful for our employees who have made a tremendous effort to take care of the guests. In addition, we would like to thank our guests and customers for all the understanding and patience we have been shown through these days. Having to deal with one virus was already demanding. Having to deal with two was absolutely extreme, but we have managed because of our absolutely fantastic employees, Wisth concludes.

We work continuously to handle the situation and apologize for the inconvenience this causes to our guests, customers and employees. Visit our webpage for more information: https://www.nordicchoicehotels...