WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell has written an internal memo to WPP staff regarding yesterday's hack, and reassuring clients that their data is safe.
In the letter, Sorrell says the company is “very much open for business” and encourages his staff to put trust in the IT teams.
The hack, which affected WPP globally – including Australian offices – occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning local time across the company's operating systems.
Staffers with infected computers were greeted with a message saying that the user's files had been encrypted - and that it would cost more than $300 in Bitcoin to free them - in part of a worldwide cyberattack. It's not clear whether WPP will pay the ransom to get access back, but in most similar situations, the ransom is paid.
Read the full letter here:
Cyber attack – update
As you will know, organisations around the world have been hit by a cyber attack. A number of WPP companies – though not all – have been affected.
We are working with our IT partners and law enforcement agencies to assess the situation, take all precautionary steps and return to normal operations as soon as we can. At this time, we have no indication that either employee or client data has been compromised. As you would expect, our companies and teams are in contact with clients on an ongoing basis.
Many of you will have experienced significant disruption to your work. However, contrary to some press reports, WPP and its companies are still very much open for business.
We are a group packed full of highly creative, ingenious and dedicated people. I urge you all to put those qualities to use in making sure that what our clients experience in the hours and days ahead is as close to business as usual as we can possibly manage.
The IT teams in all our companies affected, coordinated by the Group IT function, are working hard to balance the need to protect our systems and the need to bring them back online in a timely fashion. The approach and solution will vary from company to company. It is crucial that you give them your full cooperation and support, and follow their instructions.
Thank you.
Sir Martin Sorrell
WPP released a statement on its official Facebook and Twitter accounts shortly after the hack saying the company is taking the appropriate measures and would update staff soon.
— WPP (@WPP) June 27, 2017
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.