Cyberattack Unveils Security Breach at Uffizi Galleries

The Uffizi Galleries in Florence, home to iconic artworks like Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus,’ was struck by a severe cyberattack earlier this year. The infiltration prompted urgent measures, including relocating treasured jewels to the Bank of Italy, as reported by Corriere della Sera.

The attack, which compromised administrative systems, was confirmed to have occurred between late January and early February, affecting servers at the Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, and the Boboli Gardens. Hackers reportedly made off with entry codes, alarm system configurations, and sensitive data, sending a ransom demand to the personal phone of director Simone Verde.

The breach emphasized vulnerabilities within the institution's digital infrastructures. Meanwhile, the most valuable items from the Treasury of the Grand Dukes were moved for security reasons. Concurrently, the theft reiterated recent incidents like last year's jewel heist at Paris’ Louvre Museum.