Cyber Attack on Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group: What We Know

Overview of Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group

Based in Rhodes, NSW, Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group runs several well-known restaurants and brands, including The Meat & Wine Co and Hunter Barrel. This organization has made a significant mark in the hospitality sector, offering unique dining experiences and maintaining high standards of service.

The Cyber Incident

On February 12, the Kairos ransomware group asserted responsibility for a cyber attack targeting Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group. As of now, Cyber Daily has been unable to access the group’s leak site on the dark web to obtain further details. However, Seagrass has publicly acknowledged the security breach through a statement posted on its website.

Seagrass’s Response to the Cyber Attack

In their official communication, Seagrass confirmed the occurrence of a cybersecurity incident. They reported, “On 12 February, we identified a cyber security incident involving unauthorized access to part of our IT network.” Following the detection of the breach, the company quickly activated their incident response protocols. Collaborating with external cybersecurity specialists, they successfully isolated the affected systems.

The investigation into the extent of the data that may have been compromised is currently underway. Seagrass has committed to providing additional updates as more information becomes available. Despite inquiries from Cyber Daily, Seagrass has chosen not to provide further commentary regarding the incident at this time.

Understanding Kairos Ransomware Group

According to threat intelligence firm CYJAX, the Kairos group operates within several Russian-language hacking forums and does not appear to be allied with other cybercriminal organizations. Information about their operations can be found on their leak site, where they outline the process that victims must navigate.

Victims reportedly have a window of seven days to respond to Kairos’s demands. Once this period expires without a resolution, the group initiates its leak protocol and publishes information regarding the data breach. As per Kairos’s statements, “If no agreement is reached within seven days, we will publish the fact of the data compromise on our website.”

The repercussions of failing to negotiate with the group are outlined starkly: “If the situation remains unresolved after seven days, we will notify your partners, competitors, and customers—followed by the full publication of your data.” Such events can lead to legal actions, the termination of contracts, reputational harm, significant drops in stock value, and even the risk of organizational closure.

Kairos’s History and Previous Victims

First monitored in November 2024, Kairos has already claimed at least 70 victims, demonstrating a troubling trend in their cyber activities. Among their recent targets was the Heidelberg Golf Club in Melbourne, where they reportedly made off with 24.6 gigabytes of sensitive data. This incident highlights the growing threat that ransomware groups pose, particularly to businesses within the hospitality industry.

Conclusion

As the investigation into the Seagrass cyber incident continues, it underscores the increasing need for robust cybersecurity measures across all sectors, especially hospitality—a sector characterized by extensive interaction with customer data. As threats evolve and cybercriminal tactics become more sophisticated, organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their digital assets.