The British Library in London, known for its serene study environment and vast collection of 170 million items, has been disrupted by a "cyber incident." This event has led to the shutdown of its website, impeding access to the online catalog, and the cessation of Wi-Fi services.
Staff members are unable to use computers, creating a predigital atmosphere within the library. Ordering books now involves consulting hardback catalogs or external websites, writing down catalog numbers, and handing them to librarians for verification. The incident has affected various users, including authors and academics, who rely on the library for their work.
Despite the significance of the British Library, the institution has provided minimal information about the incident on social media. The library stated that it is facing a major technology outage due to the cyber incident, impacting both online and on-site services.
The staff is collaborating with Britain's National Cyber Security Center to investigate the matter. Speculation about the cause of the shutdown abounds among users, with many having to adjust their work plans to accommodate the disruption.
While details remain scarce, other European libraries presume the British Library was deliberately targeted. The National Library of Scotland, for instance, has intensified its monitoring and protection in response to the attack.
This incident underscores a shift in cybercriminals targeting libraries, which traditionally flew under the radar. Tasmina Islam, a cybersecurity education lecturer, suggests that financial motives may be driving such attacks, as libraries house valuable information, including personal data and intellectual property. She emphasizes the need for libraries and institutions to enhance their security measures.
Within the British Library, employees are puzzled by the event, describing it as a "nightmare." However, not all users are dismayed by the interruption. Eric Langley, a Shakespeare scholar, finds the blackout oddly liberating, allowing him to focus solely on the bard's work. Nevertheless, he acknowledges that an extended disruption would pose challenges.
