Investigators have discovered a shocking flaw in the security system of the Louvre museum’s security infrastructure weeks after a dramatic $102 million heist at the institution.
At the time of the brazen mega-heist, the password for the world-famous museum’s video surveillance system was just “LOUVRE,” according to a report citing an employee with knowledge of the system.
According to confidential documents obtained by French news outlet Libération, the country’s National Agency for Cyber Security discovered that a server managed the museum’s camera surveillance using an incredibly easy password.
The password, namesake for the Louvre museum, was first uncovered by the agency in an audit in 2014. In subsequent audits, officials identified “serious deficiencies” in the historic museum’s security systems, including two-decade-old security software.
The National Cyber Security Agency ANSSI wrote in its 2014 audit that the security network is where “the museum’s most critical protection and detection equipment is connected.”
He warned of potential attacks in the future, saying: “An attacker who manages to take control of it could facilitate the damage or even theft of artworks.”
It is still unclear whether the Louvre has updated its password since the 2014 audit.
Louvre jewelry: French authorities urged for more security
The French Court of Auditors has asked the Louvre museum to speed up its plans for a priority security upgrade.
In a report drawn up before the October 19 Louvre jewel heist, auditors noted major delays in renovating the world’s most visited museum.
Thursday’s report by the Cour des Comptes comes after a series of failures and security issues came to light following the robbery of the crown jewels looted in a seven-minute operation.
In a shocking incident, the thieves used a bin lift to get to the window of the Apollo Gallery and made off with the treasure within minutes.
The report, which focuses on the period 2018-2024, says that the museum’s investments prioritize “visible and attractive operations” such as buying new works of art and improving the visitor experience. This was “at the expense of maintenance and renovation of buildings and technical equipment, especially security and safety systems,” he said.
A plan to upgrade security equipment has been studied since 2018, but its implementation has continued to be delayed, the report said. The actual technical work was supposed to start only next year and should be fully implemented by 2032.
