Many of the British Library’s digital services – including its online repository of thousands of PhD dissertations – are likely to remain inaccessible for weeks after it was hit by a cyberattack.
The iconic library in St Pancras said its website and online systems, such as its public wi-fi, are facing considerable disruption because of a “major technology outage” following a “ransomware attack by a group known for such criminal activity”.
“We anticipate restoring many services in the next few weeks, but some disruption may persist for longer,” the library said on 14 November.
The UK’s national library said it had taken “protective measures in response to the attack to ensure the integrity of our systems”, adding that a “forensic investigation with the support of the National Cyber Security Centre, the Metropolitan Police and cybersecurity specialists” had been launched.
