Cyber attack on natural history museum
Following a cyber attack, the work of the Berlin Natural History Museum has been severely restricted for weeks. Museum spokeswoman Gesine Steiner told the German Press Agency that it is unclear when all employees will be able to resume their work in full. The "Tagesspiegel", the "RBB" and other Berlin media had previously reported.
According to the Tagesspiegel, hackers are said to have encrypted the museum's data and demanded a ransom to decrypt it. Immediately after the attack was detected, the museum's IT system was shut down for protection. According to the newspaper, up to 450 researchers at the museum have been "more or less unable to work" since October 18.
Steiner confirmed the "Tagesspiegel" report on Friday. The actual attack probably occurred on October 12. Employees had no access to their work computers or work email addresses. A small emergency team was able to work, it said.
The State Office of Criminal Investigation is investigating the case. The investigation is still ongoing, a spokeswoman said in response to a dpa inquiry. The suspects are known to the police, as museum director Stephan Junker told the "Tagesspiegel". The museum management had asked the attackers to make contact.
The cyber attack has no impact on visitors, Steiner said. The exhibitions are open as normal.
The cyber attack on the Berlin Natural History Museum involved hackers encrypting the museum's data and demanding a ransom for decryption. Despite the investigation by the State Office of Criminal Investigation, museum employees, including up to 450 researchers, have been significantly impacted by the crime, with many unable to work due to the restricted IT system.
Source: www.dpa.com
