Uffizi Gallery disputes claims about February cyber attack severity

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence has refuted allegations regarding the impact of a February cyber attack. An Italian newspaper reported that hackers gained extensive access to the museum's IT systems, demanded ransom from director Simone Verde, and threatened to sell stolen data on the dark web. The article claimed the breach compromised security information including entry codes, alarm systems, and surveillance camera locations. In response, the museum acknowledged the February 1 attack occurred but stated no data was stolen and security details were not accessed. The newspaper cited several post-attack developments as evidence, including the closure of a Pitti Palace section starting February 3 and the removal of jewels from the Treasury of the Grand Dukes to the Bank of Italy. Museum officials attributed these actions to planned renovations announced in July 2025, though the renovation areas differ from where the jewels were stored. The Uffizi maintains it has complete backups of affected systems and continues normal operations, displaying works by Renaissance masters including Raphael, Caravaggio, and Botticelli. The incident highlights growing cybersecurity concerns for cultural institutions amid increasing museum security threats.