Lee Enterprises, a prominent newspaper group in the United States, recently experienced a significant cyberattack that disrupted its operations. The incident led to an outage affecting various business functions.

Details of the Cyberattack

The company disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that the cyberattack occurred on February 3, 2025. This attack resulted in a technology outage impacting critical business applications and causing operational disruptions.

Lee Enterprises is actively investigating the incident to determine the extent of any data compromise. The company has involved law enforcement to assist with the investigation, which is expected to be complex and time-consuming.

Impact on Newspaper Operations

The cyberattack forced Lee Enterprises to shut down numerous networks, severely affecting the printing and delivery of its newspapers. Reporters and editors faced challenges accessing their files due to non-functional VPNs, adding to the chaos.

In response, several publications under Lee Enterprises have posted maintenance banners on their websites, informing readers of potential temporary access issues to subscription accounts and digital editions.

Company's Reach and Previous Incidents

Lee Enterprises operates 77 daily newspapers and 350 weekly and specialty publications across 26 states, with a daily circulation exceeding 1.2 million. Its digital platforms attract over 44 million unique visitors.

The company's portfolio includes well-known publications such as the Buffalo News, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Notably, Lee Enterprises was previously targeted by Iranian hackers in a cyberattack five years ago, aimed at spreading disinformation before the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

Takeaway: Cybersecurity remains a critical concern for media organizations. Learn more about protecting against cyber threats in our detailed Research section.

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