British Museum Closes Galleries Following IT Sabotage by Former Contractor

A dismissed tech contractor breached security systems, forcing temporary exhibition closures and raising concerns over institutional vulnerabilities.

A former British Museum IT contractor, recently dismissed, was arrested for sabotaging the museum's IT systems and trespassing into restricted areas.
The breach led to the temporary closure of three exhibitions, including shows on Picasso, Silk Roads, and Hew Locke, with refunds issued to ticket holders.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the suspect, a man in his 50s, has been released on bail pending further investigation into charges of burglary and criminal damage.
The incident has reignited scrutiny of the museum's security, already under question after a 2023 scandal involving the theft of 2,000 artifacts by a former senior curator over 30 years.
The museum has committed to a $12.1 million project to document its collection over five years and has implemented recommendations to improve security and governance.