Over 40 museums in France, including the Grand Palais, a key venue for the upcoming Paris Olympics, and the world-famous Louvre, recently fell victim to a discernible ransomware attack. The breach, which occurred over the weekend of August 3rd, has raised concerns about the security of cultural institutions in the country.
According to police sources, the cyberattack specifically targeted a system that centralises financial data for various museums. This attack disrupted operations and led to the hackers demanding a ransom. They threatened to release sensitive financial information unless their demands were met. Although the exact amount of the ransom has not been disclosed, the incident has sparked a criminal investigation focusing on data system breaches and extortion by an organised gang.
The national cybersecurity agency of France, Anssi, confirmed that it had been notified of the breach and was actively investigating the situation. Importantly, the agency clarified that the compromised systems are not involved in any Olympic-related events, alleviating some concerns about the security of the upcoming games. The Grand Palais, which is scheduled to host fencing and martial arts during the Olympics, acknowledged that it had been affected by the attack but declined to share further details about the extent of the damage or the ongoing investigation.
Interestingly, the Louvre, initially mentioned as a potential target by the police, has since denied being impacted by the cyberattack.
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