Journal Article: “The 2023 Rhysida Ransomware Attack on the British Library: Prioritisation, Expertise, and Funding Issues”
The article linked below was recently published by ital: Information Technology and Libraries.
Title
Authors
Frank Houghton
Technological University of the Shannon
Michael Winterburn
Technological University of the Shannon
Ken Oakley
Technological University of the Shannon
Source
ital: Information Technology and Libraries
Vol. 44 No. 1 (2025)
DOI: 10.5860/ital.v44i1.17112
Abstract
The British Library is a flagship library that plays a pivotal role in the UK learning and research infrastructure, in addition to being a central conduit for international library linkages. However, in late October 2023, this premier institution was the subject of a cyberattack that has left it crippled. The Rhysida group perpetrated this catastrophic ransomware attack. Underfunding and threat identification are explored as potential weaknesses resulting in deficiencies in the British Library’s online security systems. To help prevent further such assaults in libraries, this Commentary also details what is known about the attack and how such breaches might be prevented in the future.
Direct to Full Text Article
16 pages; PDF.
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.
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