- The recent theft at the Louvre Museum highlighted the vulnerability of digital systems in cultural institutions
- Investigators discovered that the password for the museum’s surveillance camera system was simply “louvre.”
- In response, Proton is offering museums, galleries and libraries two years of its Proton Pass Professional service for free.
The recent high-profile security breach at the Louvre in Paris sent shockwaves through the art world, not only because of the value of the stolen items, but because of the surprisingly simple security flaw that was exposed.
As the investigation unfolded, it was revealed that the password protecting the museum’s important surveillance camera system was, surprisingly, “louvre.” This revelation underscores a growing concern: the digital doors that protect our invaluable cultural heritage are often left wide open.
This glaring vulnerability, which was reportedly brought to the Louvre’s attention by security experts years ago, has galvanized action from the tech community. In the wake of the incident, Swiss privacy company Proton, developer of one of the best VPN and secure email services on the market, launched a new initiative to strengthen the digital defenses of cultural organizations around the world.
A digital lifeline for our heritage
While museums invest heavily in physical security, such as guards and vaults, their digital infrastructure can be a critical point of failure. Modern security systems, from cameras to climate control to locks, are often connected to online networks. A single weak or default password can provide an entry point for cybercriminals, bypassing millions of dollars in physical protection and putting irreplaceable artifacts at risk.
Recognizing that many cultural institutions may lack the resources or expertise to implement robust cybersecurity, Proton offers powerful assistance.
The company has announced that it will provide two years of the professional plan of its password manager, Proton Pass, completely free to eligible cultural institutions around the world. This includes museums, libraries, theaters, archives, and community arts centers.
“Cultural institutions are the guardians of our collective memory,” said Raphael Auphan, chief operating officer of Proton. “However, the security of invaluable assets often depends on digital doors that, if left unprotected, are vulnerable to the same threats faced by any modern organization.”
The goal of the initiative is to make strong digital security a central part of cultural preservation.
Proton Pass is a secure password manager that helps both individuals and organizations create, store and manage strong, unique passwords for all their accounts. The professional level also includes features like breach monitoring, which alerts administrators if their credentials appear in a known data breach, a feature recently bolstered by the launch of the Proton Sentinel program.
By equipping these organizations with enterprise-grade tools, Proton aims to close the digital security gaps that leave our shared history vulnerable.
Beyond ‘password123’
The louvre password incident is a stark reminder of a widespread and persistent problem. Weak and easy-to-guess passwords remain a leading cause of security breaches across industries. For cultural institutions, which increasingly rely on digital systems, the stakes are high.
Proton’s initiative provides a practical and immediate solution for organizations that may not know where to start. Removing the cost barrier allows them to adopt a crucial first line of defense.
The offer, which will be valid until the end of 2025, is a call to action for the cultural sector to prioritize its digital security with the same seriousness that it applies to its physical collections. For these guardians of our history, going beyond “password123” is no longer optional: it is essential for their survival.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
