The Houston Symphony Orchestra has fallen victim to a ransomware attack by the hacker group QILIN, as reported on the group’s website. The hackers have claimed to have stolen over 300 GB of data from the orchestra and have set a ransom deadline, threatening to publish the data on March 5, 2025. Among the stolen data are reports on the orchestra’s budget for October 2024, financial documents for May 2024, and a strategic development plan until 2030. Personal information such as lists of trustees and board members with addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses were also included in the stolen data.
It is unclear whether the stolen files contain financial or personal information of musicians, employees, and ticket holders. The orchestra has not yet issued a statement regarding the situation, leaving the future uncertain for the organization.
Following the publication of the hacking post by QILIN, the Houston Symphony Orchestra was removed from the group’s list, indicating that negotiations may be taking place between the organization and the cybercriminals. Screenshots of the stolen data have been published.
Established in 1913, the Houston Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest musical organizations in the United States. The ensemble consists of 60 professional musicians who perform around 170 concerts annually and participate in over 1000 events in various venues. With an annual budget of approximately $28.8 million, the orchestra’s concert hall accommodates up to 2900 attendees, attracting around 400,000 spectators each year.
Sources: Cybernews