British Library Confirms Ransomware Attack

Uploaded on 2023-11-21 in FREE TO VIEW

One of the world’s largest libraries has confirmed it was hit by a ransomware attack on October 28, and that it will take weeks or possibly months to fully recover. Now the Library has also confirmed that the ransomware attack has led to the theft of internal data and employee's information. They say the ransomware attack was launched “by a group known for such criminal activity.”

Hackers have claimed responsibility for the attack, and they are a ransomware gang called the Rhysida group who have demanded 20 Bitcoin, which is currently equivalent to £602,000 or $745,00, for the return of the stolen data, which includes employee passport scans and financial information.

The British Library has given no indication that it has entered into negotiation with the criminal attackers.

In a statement on its Knowledge Matters blog, the Library said that some internal data has leaked online, which “appears to be from our internal HR files... We’re continuing to experience a major technology outage as a result of a cyber-attack. The outage is still affecting our website, online systems and services, as well as some onsite services including Wi-Fi... “We anticipate restoring many services in the next few weeks, but some disruption may persist for longer.”

The Recovery has been slow and the library's website is still offline. The IT outage affects the library's online systems, services and facilities, including public Wi-Fi.

In an update on its website, the facility, which is the United Kingdom's national library, as its name suggests, noted that it has taken protective measures in response to the attack and is undergoing a forensic investigation with the help of the London Metropolitan Police and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), along with private cyber security specialists.

The library says that it hopes to be able to restore many of its services in the next few weeks "but some disruption may persist for longer."

In its notice, the British Library affirmed that many of its public events will continue as planned and all of its in-person and live-streamed events are to continue. Its staff can be contacted by email, but they are receiving a high volume of inquiries, the institution warned.

Currently, the British Library’s physical sites in London and Yorkshire are fully open, as are reading rooms and items held within them.

British Library: Telegraph: Independent: Dark Reading: Tech Crunch: Computer Weekly:

Times Higher Education: Infosecurity Magazine

You Might Also Read:

British University Data Breaches Are A Lesson For All:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.