Uffizi cyber incident: museum reassures public as probe begins

Uffizi cyber incident: museum reassures public as probe begins

The Uffizi Galleries announced an unauthorized access to their IT systems detected between late January and early February. A complaint has been filed and judicial inquiries are underway to determine the extent and origin of the intrusion.

Digital holdings status: museum management states that no digital archives were lost thanks to backup systems. Authorities continue technical checks to assess whether any data were exfiltrated or made available externally.

• Timeline: intrusion identified in the period between late January and early February.
• Immediate responses: report filed with law enforcement, technical audits and reinforcement of cybersecurity procedures.
• Physical collections and relocations: some items, already scheduled for renovation-related moves, were transferred to secure storage facilities.

Practical measures included temporary closures of areas due to scheduled maintenance and the sealing or modification of certain doors as part of fire-safety upgrades. The museum clarifies that many of these interventions were planned within the renovation timeline and were not emergency reactions to the cyber incident.

Museum's statement: the director has indicated there is no evidence that passwords or security-layout maps were stolen. The institution highlights the crucial role of backups in protecting digitized archives.

Institutional and political impact: the incident prompted parliamentary questions and calls for transparency regarding national investments and strategies for cultural cybersecurity. Public authorities and cultural bodies have been urged to clarify the facts and to consider further preventive measures.

Visitor information: some sections of the complex may remain temporarily inaccessible due to maintenance or safety measures. Visitors are advised to check official channels for updates before planning a visit.