The Uffizi Galleries in Florence have confirmed they were subjected to a cyber-attack but denied reports that the security systems protecting their famous artworks had been compromised. The museum administration stressed that no damage or theft occurred, despite hackers reportedly infiltrating its IT systems and accessing sensitive security data.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that hackers breached the museum's IT systems, allegedly extracting access codes, internal maps, and the locations of CCTV cameras and alarms, before issuing a ransom demand. However, the Uffizi contested this account, stating its security systems were inaccessible from outside and that attackers moved through interconnected systems, computers, and phones to piece together operational details.

A ransom demand was sent to museum director Simone Verde's personal phone, with threats to sell the data on the dark web. The Uffizi, home to iconic works such as Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" and "Primavera," said the attack occurred between late January and early February, affecting not only the main gallery but also separate sites at Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.

The museum noted that security upgrade work had been accelerated both before and after the cyber-attack, emphasizing that its situation was "nothing like the Louvre" following a recent theft in Paris. The Uffizi replaced analog cameras with digital ones per police recommendations in 2024 and refuted claims that hackers possessed security system maps, arguing camera locations are visible to the public.

Corriere claimed parts of Palazzo Pitti housing the "Medici Treasure" had been closed since February 3, with valuable items temporarily transferred to a Bank of Italy vault. The museum did not deny the transfer but insisted it was part of planned renovation work. Some doors were sealed with bricks, which the Uffizi attributed to fire-safety measures and the need to limit permeability in the historic building. Despite the incident, the museum, Italy's second-most visited with annual revenue of around €60 million, remains open to visitors.

Source: www.bbc.com