The Small Business Cyber Security Guy | Cybersecurity for SMB & Startups

Ignored Audits, Ancient Servers, and a Cherry Picker — Inside the Louvre Jewel Robbery

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On October 19th, 2025, four men dressed as construction workers stole €102 million in French crown jewels from the Louvre Museum in just seven minutes. The heist was poorly executed—thieves dropped items and failed to target the most valuable pieces—yet they succeeded spectacularly.

Why? Because the world's most visited museum had been ignoring basic cybersecurity warnings for over a decade.

In this hot take, Noel Bradford examines the shocking details that emerged after the heist: the password to the Louvre's video surveillance system was "LOUVRE." Security software was protected by "THALES" (the vendor's name). Windows 2000 and Server 2003 systems were still in operation years after support ended. And a 2015 security audit with 40 pages of recommendations won't be fully implemented until 2032.

This episode examines the consequences of institutions ignoring expert warnings, the importance of accountability, and what UK small businesses can learn from a €102 million failure. Spoiler: if your security is better than the Louvre's, you're doing something right.

Key Message: Security failures often begin long before the day of the breach. They start years earlier when warnings go unaddressed.

Key Takeaways
  1. The Louvre's password was "LOUVRE." If one of the world's most prestigious institutions used the building's name as its surveillance system password, your organisation probably has similar problems.
  2. Ten years of warnings, zero action - ANSSI identified critical vulnerabilities in 2014. Security upgrades recommended in 2015 won't be completed until 2032. Ignoring expert advice is organisational negligence.
  3. Resources aren't the problem - The Louvre had budget, expertise, and free government audits. They chose to prioritise palace restoration (€60M) over security infrastructure. It's about priorities, not resources.
  4. Hardware authentication solves password problems - FIDO2 security keys can't be guessed, phished, or compromised through weak passwords. At £30-50 per key, they're cheaper than one day of operational disruption.
  5. The accountability gap enables negligence - Government institutions face no consequences for catastrophic security failures, while UK SMBs receive ICO fines and potential closure for less. This double standard undermines security culture.
  6. Your security might be better than that of the Louvre. If you've enabled MFA, run supported operating systems, and have basic password policies, you're already ahead of a museum protecting the Mona Lisa. That's encouraging and concerning.
  7. Security failures often begin years before a breach - The October 2025 heist was made possible by decisions (or non-decisions) that stretched back to 2014. Prevention requires consistent action, not crisis response.
    8. Case Studies Referenced
    The Louvre Heist (October 2025)
    • Incident: €102 million in French crown jewels stolen in 7 minutes
    • Root causes: Password "LOUVRE" for surveillance, outdated systems (Windows 2000/Server 2003), unmonitored access points
    • Audit history: 2014 ANSSI audit identified vulnerabilities, 2015 audit provided 40-page recommendations
    • Accountability: Director retained position, no terminations, Culture Minister initially denied security failure
    • Timeline: Security upgrades recommended in 2015 won't complete until 2032
      • KNP Logistics (Referenced)
      • Industry: East Yorkshire haulage firm
      • Incident: Ransomware attack, £850,000 ransom demand
      • Outcome: Couldn't pay, business entered administration, 70 jobs lost
      • Contrast: Small business faces closure; national institution faces no consequences
        • Electoral Commission (Referenced)
        • Incident: Data breach affecting 40 million UK voters
        • Outcome: No job losses, no significant consequences
        • Relevance: Government accountability gap vs private sector enforcement
          • Case Studies Referenced
          The Louvre Heist (October 2025)
          • Incident: €102 million in French crown jewels stolen in 7 minutes
          • Root causes: Password "LOUVRE" for surveillance, outdated systems (Windows 2000/Server 2003), unmonitored access points
          • Audit history: 2014 ANSSI audit identified vulnerabilities, 2015 audit provided 40-page recommendations
          • Accountability: Director retained position, no terminations, Culture Minister initially denied security failure
          • Timeline: Security upgrades recommended in 2015 won't be completed until 2032
            • KNP Logistics (Referenced)
            • Industry: East Yorkshire haulage firm
            • Incident: Ransomware attack, £850,000 ransom demand
            • Outcome: Couldn't pay, business entered administration, 70 jobs lost
            • Contrast: Small business faces closure; national institution faces no consequences
              • Electoral Commission (Referenced)
              • Incident: Data breach affecting 40 million UK voters
              • Outcome: No job losses, no significant consequences
              • Relevance: Government accountability gap vs private sector enforcement
                • About The Host

                Noel Bradford brings over 40 years of IT and cybersecurity experience across enterprise and SMB sectors, including roles at Intel, Disney, and BBC. Currently serving as CIO and Head of Technology for a boutique security-first MSP, Noel specialises in translating enterprise-grade cybersecurity expertise into practical, affordable solutions for UK small businesses with 5-50 employees.

                His philosophy centres on "perfect security is the enemy of any security at all," focusing on real-world constraints and actionable advice over theoretical discussions. Noel's direct, no-nonsense approach has helped "The Small Business Cyber Security Guy Podcast" achieve Top 90 Business Podcast status in the USA and Top 170 in the UK, with a unique cross-Atlantic audience (47% American, 39% British).

                Legal & Disclaimer

                The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional cybersecurity, legal, or financial advice. Listeners should consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to their circumstances.

                Product and service mentions, including sponsors, are provided for informational purposes. The host and podcast do not guarantee results from implementing suggested strategies or using mentioned products.

                All case studies and incidents discussed are based on publicly available information and reporting. Facts are verified against multiple authoritative sources before publication.

                © 2025 The Small Business Cyber Security Guy Podcast. All rights reserved.

                 

                Credits

                Host: Noel Bradford

                Production: The Small Business Cyber Security Guy Productions
                Editing: Noel Bradford
                Research: Graham Falkner
                Show Notes: Graham Falkner

                Special Thanks: ANSSI (for their audit work that we wish the Louvre had acted upon), Libération journalist Brice Le Borgne (for his investigative reporting), and UK small businesses everywhere who take security more seriously than world-famous museums apparently do.

                Episode Tags

                #Cybersecurity #SmallBusiness #UKBusiness #PasswordSecurity #Louvre #DataBreach #HardwareAuthentication #FIDO2 #CyberAccountability #InformationSecurity #RiskManagement #SMBSecurity #CyberNews #HotTake #BusinessPodcast

                Next Episode: Coming Soon - Criminal Accountability for Cybersecurity Negligence (Two-Part Series)

                Average Episode Downloads: 3,000+ per day at peak

                Listener Demographics: 47% USA, 39% UK, 14% Other
                Target Audience: UK SMBs with 5-50 employees

                 

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                The Small Business Cyber Security Guy | Cybersecurity for SMB & StartupsBy The Small Business Cyber Security Guy