The British Museum has been partially closed due to a cybersecurity breach allegedly linked to a former employee, disrupting its operations and affecting thousands of visitors.
IT Attack Disrupts British Museum Operations
The British Museum has been partially closed to visitors due to an alleged IT attack by a former employee. The contractor, who was dismissed last week, allegedly trespassed into the museum and shut down several of its systems.
Arrest and Investigation
According to the Metropolitan Police, officers were called to the scene on Thursday evening after reports of damage to security and IT systems. A man in his 50s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of burglary and criminal damage. He has been bailed pending further inquiries.
Impact on Visitors
The museum’s temporary exhibitions, including Silk Roads and Picasso: Printmaker, have been closed until further notice. Customers who already hold tickets for this weekend have been contacted ahead of their visit, with priority given to members and those who already hold tickets. The museum has apologized for any inconvenience caused and is asking customers to contact its box office to reschedule their visits or have tickets refunded.
British Museum‘s Operations
The British Museum is one of the world’s greatest museums, attracting millions of visitors each year. It holds a vast collection of artifacts, including the Rosetta Stone, the Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo, and the contested Parthenon Sculptures. Last year, it was named the top UK visitor attraction, with over 5.8 million visitors in 2023.
The museum is working hard to get back to full operational capacity as soon as possible, but for now, capacity is limited, and some galleries are closed.
