The Uffizi Galleries in Florence has confirmed they were subject to a cyber-attack - but denied that the security systems protecting its famous works had been compromised. They stressed that nothing had been either damaged or stolen, after hackers were reported to have infiltrated the museum's IT systems and accessed sensitive security data.
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that hackers had infiltrated the museums' IT systems, allegedly extracting access codes, internal maps, and the locations of CCTV cameras and alarms before issuing a ransom demand. But the Uffizi Galleries contested this account, saying its security systems were inaccessible from the outside.
The attackers appeared to have moved through interconnected systems, computers, and phones, gradually piecing together a detailed picture of the museum's operations, Corriere reported. A ransom demand was later sent to museum director Simone Verde's personal phone, with a threat to sell the data on the dark web.
The Uffizi is home to some of Italy's most celebrated artworks, such as Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera. Corriere said the cyber-attack occurred between late January and early February, affecting not only the Uffizi but also its separate sites at Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.
The Uffizi stated that they had accelerated security measures "both before and after the cyber-attack." Unlike the recent heist at the Louvre museum, with its outdated security setup, the Uffizi's digital and analogue systems were updated following police recommendations.
While the cyber-attack raised alarms, the Uffizi maintains public access remains unaffected, continuing to welcome visitors and generate significant revenue.
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that hackers had infiltrated the museums' IT systems, allegedly extracting access codes, internal maps, and the locations of CCTV cameras and alarms before issuing a ransom demand. But the Uffizi Galleries contested this account, saying its security systems were inaccessible from the outside.
The attackers appeared to have moved through interconnected systems, computers, and phones, gradually piecing together a detailed picture of the museum's operations, Corriere reported. A ransom demand was later sent to museum director Simone Verde's personal phone, with a threat to sell the data on the dark web.
The Uffizi is home to some of Italy's most celebrated artworks, such as Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera. Corriere said the cyber-attack occurred between late January and early February, affecting not only the Uffizi but also its separate sites at Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.
The Uffizi stated that they had accelerated security measures "both before and after the cyber-attack." Unlike the recent heist at the Louvre museum, with its outdated security setup, the Uffizi's digital and analogue systems were updated following police recommendations.
While the cyber-attack raised alarms, the Uffizi maintains public access remains unaffected, continuing to welcome visitors and generate significant revenue.
