The British Library has restored partial access to millions of its records three months after it fell victim to a cyber-attack.
It said users could once again access 36 million records in the online catalogue, but the restored service is far from perfect as it is read-only.
It is still not possible to order anything from the online catalogue, instead requiring meticulous online ordering.
Members of staff told City News they haven’t had “anything to do” since the cyber-attack.
They are usually busy advising readers and helping them collect materials, but none of this has been possible.
One worker even said it has delayed them writing their book, which they have been using the library for.
Full restoration ‘not before the end of the year’
The library was targeted by a ransomware attack at the end of October 2023.
A hacking group called Rhysidia asked for £600,000 to restore services, which the library did not pay out of principle.
It was later revealed the attack had led to a leak of employee data, with the group claiming it had access to passports along with other data files.
But the Financial Times reported the British Library might have to eat into its reserves and pay up to £7m to overcome the cyber-attack, which the library admits will not be back “before the end of the year.”
According to the FT, a source said the library will be forced to spend what could equate to £6m-£7m, out of £16.4m in unallocated reserves, to rebuild most of its digital services.
A spokesperson for the library said: “The final costs of recovering from the recent cyber attack are still not confirmed.
“The British Library and its Government sponsor, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), remain in close and regular contact.
“The library always maintains its own financial reserve to help address unexpected issues and no bids for additional funding have been made at this stage.”
Walking through the reading rooms and galleries of the British Library, the vast majority of people are not reading any of their collection.
PhD student An Yu said his research had been affected and he can not access the resources he needs.
But he said peers of his have lost work and might face unemployment.
In a statement, the British Library’s Chief Executive Sir Roly Keating said:
“We are sorry that for the past two months researchers who rely for their studies and in some cases their livelihoods on access to the Library’s collections have been deprived of it. And we are sorry that for all our efforts we were not able to protect some personal data belonging to our users and our staff from being leaked by these hackers.
“It has been a sobering couple of months for all of us at the British Library, and we’re determined that others benefit from the experience we have been through.”
Submitted Article
HeadlineSome services restored after British Library cyberattack
Short HeadlineSome services restored after British Library cyberattack
StandfirstBut users complain that it's been hardly usable since October.
Published Article
HeadlineBritish Library brings back some services after devastating cyber-attack three months ago
Short HeadlineBritish Library restores some services after cyber-attack
StandfirstThe library said users could once again access 36 million records in the online catalogue, but it is still not possible to order anything from it.
On Monday, a number of services were restored to the British Library, allowing access to 36 million records.
However, the restored services are far from perfect and the catalogue will be read-only. It won’t be possible to order anything from the online catalogue and will instead taking meticulous online ordering.
The library says it’s putting in “workaround systems” Credit: Jacob Perkins
Ransomware attack
The library was targeted by a ransomware gang at the end of October last year. The group, called Rhysidia, asked for a ransom of £600,000, which the library did not pay out of principle.
But the Financial Times has reported that the British Library might have to eat into its reserves and pay up to £7 million to restore services, which the library admits won’t be back “before the end of the year.”
Inside the British Library: so many books yet impossible to access. Credit: Jacob Perkins
Unoccupied staff
While staff didn’t want their names to be on record, they told City News they haven’t had “anything to do” since the cyberattack.
They’re usually busy advising readers and helping them collect materials but none of this has been possible.
One even told us that it’s delayed him writing his book, which he’s been using the library for
British Library: Open for everyone?
Glorified coffee shop?
Walking through the reading rooms and galleries of the British Library, the vast majority of people aren’t reading any of their collection.
PhD student An Yu told us that his research had been affected and he can’t access resources he needs.
But he says his peers have lost work and might face unemployment.
In a statement, the British Library said “We are sorry that for the past two months researchers who rely for their studies and in some cases their livelihoods on access to the Library’s collection have been deprived of it.”
The British Library has restored partial access to millions of its records three months after it fell victim to a cyber-attack.
It said users could once again access 36 million records in the online catalogue, but the restored service is far from perfect as it is read-only.
It is still not possible to order anything from the online catalogue, instead requiring meticulous online ordering.
Members of staff told City News they haven’t had “anything to do” since the cyber-attack.
They are usually busy advising readers and helping them collect materials, but none of this has been possible.
One worker even said it has delayed them writing their book, which they have been using the library for.
Full restoration ‘not before the end of the year’
The library was targeted by a ransomware attack at the end of October 2023.
A hacking group called Rhysidia asked for £600,000 to restore services, which the library did not pay out of principle.
It was later revealed the attack had led to a leak of employee data, with the group claiming it had access to passports along with other data files.
But the Financial Times reported the British Library might have to eat into its reserves and pay up to £7m to overcome the cyber-attack, which the library admits will not be back “before the end of the year.”
According to the FT, a source said the library will be forced to spend what could equate to £6m-£7m, out of £16.4m in unallocated reserves, to rebuild most of its digital services.
A spokesperson for the library said: “The final costs of recovering from the recent cyber attack are still not confirmed.
“The British Library and its Government sponsor, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), remain in close and regular contact.
“The library always maintains its own financial reserve to help address unexpected issues and no bids for additional funding have been made at this stage.”
Walking through the reading rooms and galleries of the British Library, the vast majority of people are not reading any of their collection.
PhD student An Yu said his research had been affected and he can not access the resources he needs.
But he said peers of his have lost work and might face unemployment.
In a statement, the British Library’s Chief Executive Sir Roly Keating said:
“We are sorry that for the past two months researchers who rely for their studies and in some cases their livelihoods on access to the Library’s collections have been deprived of it. And we are sorry that for all our efforts we were not able to protect some personal data belonging to our users and our staff from being leaked by these hackers.
“It has been a sobering couple of months for all of us at the British Library, and we’re determined that others benefit from the experience we have been through.”
