British Library Faces Cybersecurity Crisis

The British Library, the esteemed repository of knowledge housing about 14 million books and numerous artifacts, has fallen victim to a serious cyber-attack, marking a concerning breach of personal data. The attack, carried out by the Rhysida ransomware group in October, has left the national library grappling with the aftermath, with stolen personal information purportedly up for sale on the dark web.

This week, the Rhysida ransomware group claimed responsibility for the attack, showcasing low-resolution images of personal information online. The group announced its intention to auction the stolen data to the highest bidder, setting a starting bid of 20 bitcoins (approximately £596,000) and establishing a bidding deadline of November 27. The leaked images are reported to contain employment contracts and passport information.

The British Library confirmed that some data, allegedly related to internal HR information, has been leaked. While not explicitly confirming Rhysida's involvement, the library acknowledged the cyber incident and emphasized ongoing investigations in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Metropolitan Police, and cybersecurity specialists.

Academics and researchers, reliant on the library's resources, have been cautioned about potential disruptions likely to persist for months. The library advised users to change shared logins on other sites as a precautionary measure.

The British Library assured users that targeted protective measures have been implemented to safeguard system integrity. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, limiting the release of detailed information at this time. The library expressed gratitude for the patience and support of its users during this challenging period.

Rhysida, known for its ransomware campaigns, has targeted various sectors globally, including education, healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and government. Recent victims include the Chilean army, the Portuguese city of Gondomar, and the University of the West of Scotland.

The NCSC is actively collaborating with the British Library to assess the incident's impact and devise strategies to mitigate the fallout. Ransomware is identified as a key cyber threat, and organizations are urged to follow the NCSC's advice to implement robust defenses.

Roly Keating, the chief executive of the British Library, expressed immense gratitude for the support and patience exhibited by users and partners during this challenging period. The library is committed to analyzing the impact of the attack and working towards restoring online systems securely and sustainably.

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