Global advertising giant WPP has been debilitated by the ransom ware attack that has swept across the world overnight.
The organisation’s sites across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America are offline and it is understood WPP globally has been instructed not to log onto the corporate network until further notice.
WPP’s APAC spokesperson said: “IT systems in several WPP companies have been affected by a suspected cyber attack. We are assessing the situation, taking appropriate measures and will update as soon as possible.”
It is understood that WPP APAC’s agency staff have gone into work today, but are having to use their mobiles and personal computers for day-to-day operations.
According to a memo from WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell to its staff said the company is “still very much open for business”, see the full memo below:
“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”
