Cybersecurity at the Louvre: A case of historical vulnerability
- Cyberpeace Tech
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Louvre Museum, one of the world's most iconic cultural venues, had been warned for years about multiple deficiencies in its cybersecurity system, long before the jewelry theft that occurred on October 19. Internal and external audits had revealed that the museum's computer network had serious flaws, some as basic as the use of weak passwords.
In 2014, a technical audit conducted by French specialists found that it was possible to access the museum's video surveillance system simply by entering the word “LOUVRE” as the password.
In addition, they detected that the site was operating with obsolete equipment and software, including old versions of operating systems that no longer had technical support.
These vulnerabilities opened the door to potential infiltrations that could compromise access control, camera management, and the security of the exhibits. Despite recommendations to update systems, strengthen passwords, and implement mitigation measures, subsequent reports showed that not all flaws had been corrected.
Technological obsolescence and cybersecurity at the Louvre
Between 2019 and 2025, technical documents from the Louvre itself confirmed the planned obsolescence of several of its systems, including those that managed video surveillance and access control. Programs such as Sathi software, responsible for security monitoring, were classified as “non-upgradable”, posing a continuous risk to the museum's protection.
The case of the Louvre is a clear example of how lack of maintenance and reliance on outdated technologies can jeopardize the integrity of an institution.
In the Mexican context, this situation serves as a warning: many public and private organizations still operate with outdated systems, without updates or robust cybersecurity policies adapted to their environment.
Implementing preventive measures, training staff, and replacing obsolete systems are essential steps to avoid vulnerabilities that could lead to attacks or irreparable losses.
Lessons for Mexico in cybersecurity
The Louvre case shows that even the most prestigious institutions can fall victim to digital failures if they do not prioritize their IT security. In Mexico, museums, government agencies, and companies must learn from this example: simple passwords and a lack of updates are open doors for cybercriminals.
Modernizing systems, conducting regular audits, and establishing incident response protocols must be priority actions to strengthen national cybersecurity.
At Cyberpeace, we recommend staying informed about cybersecurity issues and other digital threats. Prevention, technological updates, and knowledge are the best defenses against online risks.
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