The Uffizi Galleries in Florence suffered a significant cyberattack in February, with hackers reportedly stealing access codes, internal maps, CCTV camera information, and the institution's entire photographic archive. The attackers issued a ransom demand to director Simone Verde. In response, the museum moved valuable jewels to the Bank of Italy, sealed emergency exits at the Palazzo Pitti with bricks, and closed a section of the palace, though it attributes some actions to planned renovations and fire-safety compliance.
The incident highlights the growing vulnerability of major cultural institutions to digital threats, raising critical questions about the protection of priceless art and sensitive operational data. As Italy's second-most visited museum, housing masterpieces by Botticelli, Caravaggio, and Leonardo, the Uffizi attack underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures in the art world, where physical and digital security are increasingly intertwined.