Italy’s famed Uffizi admits cyber-attack but denies security breach

The Uffizi Galleries in Florence, one of the world’s most prestigious art museums, has confirmed it faced a cyber-attack. However, museum officials firmly deny that their security systems protecting invaluable artworks were compromised.

Key Details of the Uffizi Cyber-Attack

– The Uffizi assured the public that no artworks were damaged or stolen despite hackers infiltrating the museum’s IT systems and reportedly accessing sensitive security information. – Reports from Corriere della Sera indicated hackers extracted access codes, internal maps, and locations of CCTV cameras and alarms before issuing a ransom demand. – The Uffizi contested this narrative, asserting that its security systems operate in a closed environment, inaccessible from the outside. – The hackers allegedly maneuvered through interconnected systems, gaining detailed insights into the museum’s operations. A ransom demand was sent to museum director Simone Verde’s personal phone, threatening to sell the stolen data on the dark web.

Timeline and Impact

– The cyber-attack occurred between late January and early February, affecting not only the Uffizi but also the Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens. – The museum confirmed the actual event took place on February 1.

Since the high-profile heist at the Louvre in October, where thieves exploited the museum’s inadequate security, many institutions, including the Uffizi, have reassessed their safety measures. The Uffizi has accelerated upgrades to its security systems, specifically transitioning from analogue to digital cameras following police recommendations made in 2024.

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