While the world's masterpieces are securely guarded, the systems are experiencing their worst nightmare.
One of Europe's oldest museum networks, the Dresden State Art Collections , suffered a massive digital attack that disrupted a significant portion of its IT infrastructure. The Saxon Ministry of Culture reported this , emphasizing that the attack was targeted.
The incident was discovered on Wednesday, January 21. Since then, digital and telephone services have been limited at the institutions. Online ticket sales have been suspended, as has the museum's online store. Visitor support is temporarily unavailable. Museums are still open for visits with existing tickets; scanning is available at the venues. However, only cash is accepted for payment at the venues.
Despite serious disruptions, all museums remain open. The Ministry of Culture has assured that the security systems protecting the collections have not been compromised. Both physical and technical protection measures remain fully operational.
Museum representatives are unable to provide a precise timeline for the restoration of all digital services. As of Friday, the institution continued to operate under restrictions. Local media, citing the museum's press service, reported that there is no new information yet on the progress of the attack's recovery.
Information about the possible perpetrators of the hack and their objectives has not been disclosed. It also remains unknown whether the attack included extortion demands or attempts to establish contact with museum management.
The Dresden State Art Collections comprise approximately 15 museums, including the Green Vault, one of Europe's most renowned collections of treasures. It houses works by Raphael, Rembrandt, and other outstanding masters.
Digital attacks on cultural institutions are becoming increasingly common . In 2023, the National Gallery of Canada spent several weeks recovering from a ransomware attack. Earlier, in 2022, the Metropolitan Opera in New York lost its ability to sell tickets due to a similar incident during the height of the holiday season.
Major libraries are also becoming targets for digital criminals. In response, the United States launched a special program to support such institutions. Also in 2023, ransomware paralyzed the British Library, the UK's national library. In Canada, the Toronto Public Library spent several months restoring its system, describing the situation as a "crime scene."
One of Europe's oldest museum networks, the Dresden State Art Collections , suffered a massive digital attack that disrupted a significant portion of its IT infrastructure. The Saxon Ministry of Culture reported this , emphasizing that the attack was targeted.
The incident was discovered on Wednesday, January 21. Since then, digital and telephone services have been limited at the institutions. Online ticket sales have been suspended, as has the museum's online store. Visitor support is temporarily unavailable. Museums are still open for visits with existing tickets; scanning is available at the venues. However, only cash is accepted for payment at the venues.
Despite serious disruptions, all museums remain open. The Ministry of Culture has assured that the security systems protecting the collections have not been compromised. Both physical and technical protection measures remain fully operational.
Museum representatives are unable to provide a precise timeline for the restoration of all digital services. As of Friday, the institution continued to operate under restrictions. Local media, citing the museum's press service, reported that there is no new information yet on the progress of the attack's recovery.
Information about the possible perpetrators of the hack and their objectives has not been disclosed. It also remains unknown whether the attack included extortion demands or attempts to establish contact with museum management.
The Dresden State Art Collections comprise approximately 15 museums, including the Green Vault, one of Europe's most renowned collections of treasures. It houses works by Raphael, Rembrandt, and other outstanding masters.
Digital attacks on cultural institutions are becoming increasingly common . In 2023, the National Gallery of Canada spent several weeks recovering from a ransomware attack. Earlier, in 2022, the Metropolitan Opera in New York lost its ability to sell tickets due to a similar incident during the height of the holiday season.
Major libraries are also becoming targets for digital criminals. In response, the United States launched a special program to support such institutions. Also in 2023, ransomware paralyzed the British Library, the UK's national library. In Canada, the Toronto Public Library spent several months restoring its system, describing the situation as a "crime scene."
