A cyberattack targeted the Dresden State Art Collections (SKD), a network of 15 museums in eastern Germany, on Wednesday. The attack disrupted large parts of the digital infrastructure, including the online shop and visitor services, but the museums remain open and physical security is intact. IT specialists and forensic experts are working to clean up and rebuild systems, with no timeline yet for full restoration. The SKD is cooperating with the Dresden Police and State Criminal Police Office, as confirmed by the Saxon State Minister for Culture and Tourism.
This incident highlights the growing vulnerability of major cultural institutions to cyber threats, which can disrupt operations, compromise digital archives, and undermine public trust. While the physical artworks—including masterpieces by Raphael, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Rodin—remain safe, the attack underscores the need for robust cybersecurity in museums that increasingly rely on digital infrastructure for ticketing, e-commerce, and visitor engagement. It also raises concerns about the potential for data breaches and the long-term resilience of heritage institutions in the digital age.