The British Library is working diligently to restore key services that were offline following a cyber attack by the Rhsyida ransomware gang. The attack, which occurred in October 2023, caused significant disruptions to the institution’s services. Despite the challenges, British Library chief executive Roly Keating is committed to having these services back up and running by the start of the new academic year in September.
The cyber criminals were able to access the British Library’s systems through a phishing attack targeting someone with access to a specific server established during the Covid-19 pandemic. This breach led to the leaking of stolen data after the institution refused to meet the extortion demands of the criminals.
Keating acknowledges the frustration and upset caused by the prolonged unavailability of services and resources to users. The rebuilding process is ongoing, with over six billion files scanned to ensure no malicious remnants are left behind by the attackers. The library is also prioritizing the restoration of remote ordering capabilities for Reading Rooms to accommodate users who require access to its resources but cannot easily visit its physical locations.
Despite the challenges, progress is being made towards restoring online resources for research and learning. Digitized manuscripts and selected learning resources are set to be made available online, with plans to gradually increase the variety of materials accessible. Additionally, a new solution has been implemented to restore access to Non-Print Legal Deposit content for partner institutions.
Efforts are also underway to restore access to the Automated Storage Building and the National Newspaper Building at the British Library’s Yorkshire base, with a timeline for these services to be established soon. Keating expresses gratitude to users for their patience and understanding throughout the recovery process and assures them that the institution is working hard to deliver the services they need in a secure and resilient manner.