BL
Company Details
Linkedin ID:
the-british-library
Website:
Employees number:
1,306
Number of followers:
94,533
NAICS:
51912
Industry Type:
Homepage:
bl.uk
IP Addresses:
0
Company ID:
THE_2153552
Scan Status:
In-progress
The British Library Company CyberSecurity Posture
bl.uk
We are the UK’s national library. We give access to the world’s most comprehensive collection of over 170 million items - a living collection that grows every single day. Dating back 3,000 years, the collection includes Shakespeare’s First Folio, Magna Carta, a rare recording of Florence Nightingale and even Sylvia Pankhurst’s poems written on toilet paper from prison… But the collection also includes this morning’s newspapers, blogs and tweets, as well as a copy of every UK domain website. Our collection helps to open up a world of ideas. It can inspire people to start businesses. Spark new works of art and literature. Make scientific discoveries. Visit bl.uk to start your journey of discovery.
The British Library A.I CyberSecurity Scoring
BL Risk Score (AI oriented)Between 600 and 649
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BL Global Score (TPRM)XXXX
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BL Company CyberSecurity News & History
Past Incidents
3
Attack Types
2
British Library
Cyber Attack
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack threatening the organization’s existence
Description: The British Library, home to over 170 million items including historically significant documents like the Magna Carta, suffered a **major cyber attack in October 2023** that crippled its digital systems. The attack led to the **leak of staff personal details (addresses, passport scans) on the dark web** after the library refused to pay a £600,000 ransom. Two years later, the disruption persists: **services like ebooks, archives, and online journals remain unavailable**, forcing staff to manually process orders, increasing workloads, and exposing them to abuse from frustrated users. Employees, some of whom had experienced domestic abuse, faced severe consequences, including **relocation due to exposed addresses**, constant fraudulent communications, and financial strain. Over **300 staff went on strike** on the attack’s second anniversary, citing below-inflation pay rises (2.4%), unaddressed pay shortfalls, and the emotional toll of sustained operational chaos. The attack’s long-term impact includes **reputational damage, operational paralysis, and ongoing staff exploitation**, with no full system recovery in sight.
British Library
Ransomware
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack threatening the organization’s existence
Description: The British Library fell victim to a **Rhysida ransomware attack** in **2023**, resulting in the theft of approximately **600GB of sensitive data**. The attack was part of a broader campaign where the Rhysida group, operating under a **Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model**, exploited **poisoned Bing ads** mimicking Microsoft Teams download pages to distribute malware. Victims unknowingly downloaded **OysterLoader and Latrodectus**, which deployed ransomware, backdoors, and infostealers. The breach severely disrupted the library’s operations, compromising internal systems, employee records, and potentially **user data**, including research materials and personal information. The attack underscored the group’s sophistication in leveraging **social engineering and trusted platforms** (Microsoft/Bing) to infiltrate high-profile targets. While the full extent of financial or reputational damage remains undisclosed, the incident aligns with Rhysida’s history of targeting **critical infrastructure, education, and government entities**, often demanding ransoms for decryption keys and stolen data recovery.
British Library
Ransomware
Rankiteo Explanation
Attack threatening the organization’s existence
Description: The October 2023 ransomware attack on the British Library destroyed the institution’s entire technology infrastructure, affecting access to one of the world’s most significant knowledge collections. This attack highlights the devastating impact of cyber threats on essential services.
BL Company Scoring based on AI Models
Cyber Incidents Likelihood 3 - 6 - 9 months
A.I Risk Score Likelihood 3 - 6 - 9 months
Underwriter Stats for BL
Incidents vs Libraries Industry Average (This Year)
No incidents recorded for The British Library in 2025.
Incidents vs All-Companies Average (This Year)
No incidents recorded for The British Library in 2025.
Incident Types BL vs Libraries Industry Avg (This Year)
No incidents recorded for The British Library in 2025.
Incident History — BL (X = Date, Y = Severity)
BL cyber incidents detection timeline including parent company and subsidiaries
BL Company Subsidiaries
We are the UK’s national library. We give access to the world’s most comprehensive collection of over 170 million items - a living collection that grows every single day. Dating back 3,000 years, the collection includes Shakespeare’s First Folio, Magna Carta, a rare recording of Florence Nightingale and even Sylvia Pankhurst’s poems written on toilet paper from prison… But the collection also includes this morning’s newspapers, blogs and tweets, as well as a copy of every UK domain website. Our collection helps to open up a world of ideas. It can inspire people to start businesses. Spark new works of art and literature. Make scientific discoveries. Visit bl.uk to start your journey of discovery.
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BL CyberSecurity News
November 16, 2025 10:10 AM
Five major changes to the regulation of cybersecurity in the UK under the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
As the UK Government has recognized, cyber incidents—such as Jaguar Land Rover, Marks and Spencer, Royal Mail and the British Library—are...
November 03, 2025 08:00 AM
Data centres: planning policy, sustainability, and resilience
Data centres are warehouse-like facilities that house the information technology (IT) equipment upon which almost all digital activity...
October 14, 2025 07:00 AM
‘Critical gaps persist’: How to safeguard your organisation in an evolving cybersecurity landscape
The cybersecurity landscape has changed dramatically in the last few years. Organisations now depend heavily on cloud-based systems accessed...
September 25, 2025 07:00 AM
Digital ID cards: a versatile and useful tool or a worrying cybersecurity risk?
As Keir Starmer aims to revive ID card system first proposed by Tony Blair, we look at the arguments for and against.
July 30, 2025 07:00 AM
UK cybersecurity workers are overworked, overwhelmed, and burning out faster than global counterparts — here's why
UK cybersecurity workers are burning out faster than ever due to rising operational pressure, growing risk complexity, and heightened board...
July 22, 2025 07:00 AM
New UK law would ban ransomware payments by publicly funded orgs
Hard-hit Britain aims to remove financial incentives for cybercrime, but experts are split on effectiveness.
July 22, 2025 07:00 AM
UK’s Toughest Cyber Law Yet: Ransom Payments Prohibited
UK to ban public sector and critical infrastructure organisations from paying ransom demands to cybercriminals, aiming to disrupt ransomware...
July 17, 2025 07:00 AM
Charting the Future: Regulatory Milestones and Opportunities in AI, Online Safety, Cybersecurity, and Data Governance in the EU and the UK
This article highlights the key milestones for the next 12 months, focusing on four main areas: online safety, AI, data governance, and cybersecurity and...
July 08, 2025 07:00 AM
Cybersecurity stocks: why now might be the time to buy
Cyberattacks can cost companies millions. Here's how to invest in the firms fighting back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore insights on cybersecurity incidents, risk posture, and Rankiteo's assessments.
BL CyberSecurity History Information
Official Website of The British Library
The official website of The British Library is http://www.bl.uk.
The British Library’s AI-Generated Cybersecurity Score
According to Rankiteo, The British Library’s AI-generated cybersecurity score is 641, reflecting their Poor security posture.
How many security badges does The British Library’ have ?
According to Rankiteo, The British Library currently holds 0 security badges, indicating that no recognized compliance certifications are currently verified for the organization.
Does The British Library have SOC 2 Type 1 certification ?
According to Rankiteo, The British Library is not certified under SOC 2 Type 1.
Does The British Library have SOC 2 Type 2 certification ?
According to Rankiteo, The British Library does not hold a SOC 2 Type 2 certification.
Does The British Library comply with GDPR ?
According to Rankiteo, The British Library is not listed as GDPR compliant.
Does The British Library have PCI DSS certification ?
According to Rankiteo, The British Library does not currently maintain PCI DSS compliance.
Does The British Library comply with HIPAA ?
According to Rankiteo, The British Library is not compliant with HIPAA regulations.
Does The British Library have ISO 27001 certification ?
According to Rankiteo,The British Library is not certified under ISO 27001, indicating the absence of a formally recognized information security management framework.
Industry Classification of The British Library
The British Library operates primarily in the Libraries industry.
Number of Employees at The British Library
The British Library employs approximately 1,306 people worldwide.
Subsidiaries Owned by The British Library
The British Library presently has no subsidiaries across any sectors.
The British Library’s LinkedIn Followers
The British Library’s official LinkedIn profile has approximately 94,533 followers.
NAICS Classification of The British Library
The British Library is classified under the NAICS code 51912, which corresponds to Libraries and Archives.
The British Library’s Presence on Crunchbase
No, The British Library does not have a profile on Crunchbase.
The British Library’s Presence on LinkedIn
Yes, The British Library maintains an official LinkedIn profile, which is actively utilized for branding and talent engagement, which can be accessed here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-british-library.
Cybersecurity Incidents Involving The British Library
As of November 28, 2025, Rankiteo reports that The British Library has experienced 3 cybersecurity incidents.
Number of Peer and Competitor Companies
The British Library has an estimated 1,268 peer or competitor companies worldwide.
What types of cybersecurity incidents have occurred at The British Library ?
Incident Types: The types of cybersecurity incidents that have occurred include Ransomware and Cyber Attack.
How does The British Library detect and respond to cybersecurity incidents ?
Detection and Response: The company detects and responds to cybersecurity incidents through an containment measures with robust backup strategies, containment measures with air-gapped storage systems, containment measures with tested disaster recovery procedures, and enhanced monitoring with ncsc early warning service, and and containment measures with refusal to pay £600,000 ransom, containment measures with manual workflows implemented, and remediation measures with partial system restoration (digital forms for orders), remediation measures with ongoing recovery efforts, and recovery measures with gradual service restoration, recovery measures with negotiations with trade unions, and communication strategy with public acknowledgment of impact, communication strategy with union engagements for pay disputes, and third party assistance with expel (security researchers), and communication strategy with public disclosure via the register/techradar..
Incident Details
Can you provide details on each incident ?
Title: UK Government Bans Ransomware Payments for Public Sector and Critical Infrastructure
Description: The UK government has announced comprehensive measures to tackle ransomware attacks, including a ban on paying ransom demands for public sector organizations and critical national infrastructure operators.
Type: Ransomware
Motivation: Financial
Title: British Library Cyber Attack (October 2023)
Description: A major cyber attack in October 2023 disrupted the British Library's digital systems, leading to the leak of staff personal details on the dark web. The attack caused prolonged operational chaos, manual workflows, and increased workload for staff. The library refused to pay a £600,000 ransom, resulting in ongoing disruptions, fraudulent communications, and staff strikes over pay disputes two years later.
Date Detected: October 2023
Date Publicly Disclosed: October 2023
Type: Cyber Attack
Motivation: Financial (ransom demand)Disruption
Title: Rhysida ransomware group spoofs Microsoft Teams ads on Bing to deliver OysterLoader and Latrodectus malware
Description: The Rhysida ransomware group conducted a malware distribution campaign by spoofing Microsoft Teams download ads on Bing. Victims searching for Microsoft Teams were redirected to fake download pages that deployed OysterLoader and Latrodectus malware, which can deliver ransomware, backdoors, and infostealers. The group operates on a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model and has previously targeted airports, libraries, and U.S. school districts.
Date Detected: 2025-06
Date Publicly Disclosed: 2025-07
Type: malware distribution
Attack Vector: malvertisingspoofed adsfake download pages.LNK file abuse
Threat Actor: Rhysida ransomware group
Motivation: financial gainransomware deploymentdata theft
What are the most common types of attacks the company has faced ?
Common Attack Types: The most common types of attacks the company has faced is Ransomware.
How does the company identify the attack vectors used in incidents ?
Identification of Attack Vectors: The company identifies the attack vectors used in incidents through spoofed Bing adsfake Microsoft Teams download pages.
Impact of the Incidents
What was the impact of each incident ?
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Systems Affected: Technology infrastructure of the British Library
Operational Impact: Access to knowledge collectionsPatient fatalities in NHS organizations
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Data Compromised: Staff personal details (addresses, passport scans), Operational data
Systems Affected: Digital ordering systemsEbooksArchives and manuscripts catalogueOnline journal articlesLibrary management systems
Downtime: Ongoing (2+ years as of 2025)
Operational Impact: Manual workflows (paper-based orders)Increased staff workloadService unavailabilityStaff abuse from frustrated usersStrikes due to pay disputes
Customer Complaints: ['User frustration', 'Abuse toward front-facing staff', 'Physical objects thrown at staff']
Brand Reputation Impact: Negative publicityStaff dissatisfactionPublic criticism over pay disputes
Identity Theft Risk: ['Fraudulent calls/emails/texts to staff', 'Exposed addresses/passport scans on dark web']
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Brand Reputation Impact: potential reputational damage to Microsoft/Bing due to spoofed ads
Identity Theft Risk: ['high (due to infostealers)']
What types of data are most commonly compromised in incidents ?
Commonly Compromised Data Types: The types of data most commonly compromised in incidents are Personally Identifiable Information (Pii), Employment Records, Passport Scans, Addresses and .
Which entities were affected by each incident ?
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Entity Name: British Library
Entity Type: Public Sector
Industry: Education
Location: UK
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Entity Name: NHS
Entity Type: Public Sector
Industry: Healthcare
Location: UK
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Entity Name: Schools
Entity Type: Public Sector
Industry: Education
Location: UK
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Entity Name: Local Councils
Entity Type: Public Sector
Industry: Government
Location: UK
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Entity Name: Critical National Infrastructure Operators
Entity Type: Public Sector
Industry: Energy, Transportation, Telecommunications
Location: UK
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Entity Name: British Library
Entity Type: National Library
Industry: Culture/Education
Location: London, UK
Size: Large (170+ million items, 300+ staff on strike)
Customers Affected: Library users (global), staff (300+)
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Entity Name: Microsoft (Bing/Microsoft Teams spoofing)
Entity Type: technology corporation
Industry: software/technology
Location: global
Size: large-scale enterprise
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Entity Name: Unspecified victims (users clicking spoofed ads)
Entity Type: individuals, organizations
Location: global
Response to the Incidents
What measures were taken in response to each incident ?
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Containment Measures: Robust backup strategiesAir-gapped storage systemsTested disaster recovery procedures
Enhanced Monitoring: NCSC Early Warning service
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Incident Response Plan Activated: True
Containment Measures: Refusal to pay £600,000 ransomManual workflows implemented
Remediation Measures: Partial system restoration (digital forms for orders)Ongoing recovery efforts
Recovery Measures: Gradual service restorationNegotiations with trade unions
Communication Strategy: Public acknowledgment of impactUnion engagements for pay disputes
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Third Party Assistance: Expel (Security Researchers).
Communication Strategy: public disclosure via The Register/TechRadar
How does the company involve third-party assistance in incident response ?
Third-Party Assistance: The company involves third-party assistance in incident response through Expel (security researchers), .
Data Breach Information
What type of data was compromised in each breach ?
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Data Exfiltration: Encrypted file systemsSensitive data
Data Encryption: ['AES-256', 'RSA-2048']
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Type of Data Compromised: Personally identifiable information (pii), Employment records, Passport scans, Addresses
Sensitivity of Data: High (PII, government-issued IDs)
File Types Exposed: Database recordsScanned documents (passports)
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Data Exfiltration: potential (via infostealers/backdoors)
Personally Identifiable Information: potential (via infostealers)
What measures does the company take to prevent data exfiltration ?
Prevention of Data Exfiltration: The company takes the following measures to prevent data exfiltration: Partial system restoration (digital forms for orders), Ongoing recovery efforts, .
How does the company handle incidents involving personally identifiable information (PII) ?
Handling of PII Incidents: The company handles incidents involving personally identifiable information (PII) through by robust backup strategies, air-gapped storage systems, tested disaster recovery procedures, , refusal to pay £600,000 ransom, manual workflows implemented and .
Ransomware Information
Was ransomware involved in any of the incidents ?
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Ransom Demanded: £600,000
Data Encryption: True
Data Exfiltration: True
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Ransomware Strain: Rhysidapotential secondary ransomware via OysterLoader/Latrodectus
Data Encryption: ['potential (via ransomware payloads)']
Data Exfiltration: ['potential (via infostealers/backdoors)']
How does the company recover data encrypted by ransomware ?
Data Recovery from Ransomware: The company recovers data encrypted by ransomware through Gradual service restoration, Negotiations with trade unions, .
Regulatory Compliance
Were there any regulatory violations and fines imposed for each incident ?
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Regulatory Notifications: Mandatory incident notification protocols
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
What lessons were learned from each incident ?
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Lessons Learned: The measures represent a fundamental shift in approaching ransomware threats, aiming to disrupt the cyber criminal business model while protecting critical services.
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Lessons Learned: Critical reliance on digital systems in modern libraries, Need for robust incident response and staff support, Long-term operational impacts of ransomware refusal, Importance of addressing staff welfare post-breach
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Lessons Learned: Malvertising campaigns exploiting trusted brands (e.g., Microsoft Teams) and search engines (Bing) can effectively bypass user skepticism. Continuous monitoring of ad networks and proactive takedowns of spoofed pages are critical to mitigating such threats. Users should verify download sources and avoid clicking on ads, even from reputable platforms.
What recommendations were made to prevent future incidents ?
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Recommendations: Adopt Cyber Essentials certification framework, Utilize NCSC Early Warning serviceAdopt Cyber Essentials certification framework, Utilize NCSC Early Warning service
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Recommendations: Invest in cyber resilience and backup systems, Improve staff compensation and mental health support, Enhance dark web monitoring for leaked data, Accelerate system restoration to reduce manual workloads, Transparency in post-incident communicationsInvest in cyber resilience and backup systems, Improve staff compensation and mental health support, Enhance dark web monitoring for leaked data, Accelerate system restoration to reduce manual workloads, Transparency in post-incident communicationsInvest in cyber resilience and backup systems, Improve staff compensation and mental health support, Enhance dark web monitoring for leaked data, Accelerate system restoration to reduce manual workloads, Transparency in post-incident communicationsInvest in cyber resilience and backup systems, Improve staff compensation and mental health support, Enhance dark web monitoring for leaked data, Accelerate system restoration to reduce manual workloads, Transparency in post-incident communicationsInvest in cyber resilience and backup systems, Improve staff compensation and mental health support, Enhance dark web monitoring for leaked data, Accelerate system restoration to reduce manual workloads, Transparency in post-incident communications
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Recommendations: Implement stricter ad verification processes on platforms like Bing to prevent spoofing., Educate users on recognizing fake download pages and verifying URLs before downloading software., Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block malware like OysterLoader and Latrodectus., Monitor dark web/underground forums for signs of Rhysida affiliate activity or stolen data sales., Enhance email/web filtering to block malicious .LNK files and associated payloads.Implement stricter ad verification processes on platforms like Bing to prevent spoofing., Educate users on recognizing fake download pages and verifying URLs before downloading software., Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block malware like OysterLoader and Latrodectus., Monitor dark web/underground forums for signs of Rhysida affiliate activity or stolen data sales., Enhance email/web filtering to block malicious .LNK files and associated payloads.Implement stricter ad verification processes on platforms like Bing to prevent spoofing., Educate users on recognizing fake download pages and verifying URLs before downloading software., Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block malware like OysterLoader and Latrodectus., Monitor dark web/underground forums for signs of Rhysida affiliate activity or stolen data sales., Enhance email/web filtering to block malicious .LNK files and associated payloads.Implement stricter ad verification processes on platforms like Bing to prevent spoofing., Educate users on recognizing fake download pages and verifying URLs before downloading software., Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block malware like OysterLoader and Latrodectus., Monitor dark web/underground forums for signs of Rhysida affiliate activity or stolen data sales., Enhance email/web filtering to block malicious .LNK files and associated payloads.Implement stricter ad verification processes on platforms like Bing to prevent spoofing., Educate users on recognizing fake download pages and verifying URLs before downloading software., Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block malware like OysterLoader and Latrodectus., Monitor dark web/underground forums for signs of Rhysida affiliate activity or stolen data sales., Enhance email/web filtering to block malicious .LNK files and associated payloads.
What are the key lessons learned from past incidents ?
Key Lessons Learned: The key lessons learned from past incidents are The measures represent a fundamental shift in approaching ransomware threats, aiming to disrupt the cyber criminal business model while protecting critical services.Critical reliance on digital systems in modern libraries,Need for robust incident response and staff support,Long-term operational impacts of ransomware refusal,Importance of addressing staff welfare post-breachMalvertising campaigns exploiting trusted brands (e.g., Microsoft Teams) and search engines (Bing) can effectively bypass user skepticism. Continuous monitoring of ad networks and proactive takedowns of spoofed pages are critical to mitigating such threats. Users should verify download sources and avoid clicking on ads, even from reputable platforms.
References
Where can I find more information about each incident ?
Incident : Ransomware THE952072325
Source: UK Government Announcement
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Source: The Independent
URL: https://www.independent.co.uk
Date Accessed: 2025-10-XX
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Source: TechRadar (via The Register)
URL: https://www.techradar.com
Date Accessed: 2025-07
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Source: Expel (security research)
Where can stakeholders find additional resources on cybersecurity best practices ?
Additional Resources: Stakeholders can find additional resources on cybersecurity best practices at and Source: UK Government Announcement, and Source: The IndependentUrl: https://www.independent.co.ukDate Accessed: 2025-10-XX, and Source: TechRadar (via The Register)Url: https://www.techradar.comDate Accessed: 2025-07, and Source: Expel (security research).
Investigation Status
What is the current status of the investigation for each incident ?
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Investigation Status: Ongoing (as of 2025)
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Investigation Status: ongoing (as of July 2025)
How does the company communicate the status of incident investigations to stakeholders ?
Communication of Investigation Status: The company communicates the status of incident investigations to stakeholders through Public Acknowledgment Of Impact, Union Engagements For Pay Disputes and Public Disclosure Via The Register/Techradar.
Stakeholder and Customer Advisories
Were there any advisories issued to stakeholders or customers for each incident ?
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Stakeholder Advisories: Trade Union (Pcs) Engagements, Public Statements On Pay Disputes.
Customer Advisories: Service disruption noticesApologies for prolonged outages
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Customer Advisories: Users advised to avoid clicking on Bing ads for Microsoft Teams and verify download sources.
What advisories does the company provide to stakeholders and customers following an incident ?
Advisories Provided: The company provides the following advisories to stakeholders and customers following an incident: were Trade Union (Pcs) Engagements, Public Statements On Pay Disputes, Service Disruption Notices, Apologies For Prolonged Outages, , Users Advised To Avoid Clicking On Bing Ads For Microsoft Teams And Verify Download Sources. and .
Initial Access Broker
How did the initial access broker gain entry for each incident ?
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
High Value Targets: Staff Pii, Library Management Systems,
Data Sold on Dark Web: Staff Pii, Library Management Systems,
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Entry Point: Spoofed Bing Ads, Fake Microsoft Teams Download Pages,
Backdoors Established: ['via Latrodectus/OysterLoader']
Post-Incident Analysis
What were the root causes and corrective actions taken for each incident ?
Incident : Cyber Attack THE4992549110125
Root Causes: Inadequate Cybersecurity Defenses (Specifics Undisclosed), Lack Of Redundant Manual Systems, Delayed Recovery Timeline,
Corrective Actions: Partial System Restorations, Union Negotiations For Staff Pay, Dark Web Monitoring For Leaked Data,
Incident : malware distribution THE2092420110325
Root Causes: Lack Of Ad Verification On Bing Allowing Spoofed Microsoft Teams Ads., User Trust In Branded Ads/Search Results Leading To Clicks On Malicious Links., Effective Use Of .Lnk Files To Bypass Initial Security Controls.,
Corrective Actions: Bing/Microsoft To Implement Stricter Ad Vetting For Branded Keywords (E.G., 'Microsoft Teams')., Security Awareness Training For Users On Identifying Malvertising., Proactive Hunting For Rhysida-Affiliated Malware (Oysterloader, Latrodectus) In Enterprise Environments.,
What is the company's process for conducting post-incident analysis ?
Post-Incident Analysis Process: The company's process for conducting post-incident analysis is described as Ncsc Early Warning Service, , Expel (Security Researchers), .
What corrective actions has the company taken based on post-incident analysis ?
Corrective Actions Taken: The company has taken the following corrective actions based on post-incident analysis: Partial System Restorations, Union Negotiations For Staff Pay, Dark Web Monitoring For Leaked Data, , Bing/Microsoft To Implement Stricter Ad Vetting For Branded Keywords (E.G., 'Microsoft Teams')., Security Awareness Training For Users On Identifying Malvertising., Proactive Hunting For Rhysida-Affiliated Malware (Oysterloader, Latrodectus) In Enterprise Environments., .
Additional Questions
General Information
What was the amount of the last ransom demanded ?
Last Ransom Demanded: The amount of the last ransom demanded was £600,000.
Who was the attacking group in the last incident ?
Last Attacking Group: The attacking group in the last incident was an Rhysida ransomware group.
Incident Details
What was the most recent incident detected ?
Most Recent Incident Detected: The most recent incident detected was on October 2023.
What was the most recent incident publicly disclosed ?
Most Recent Incident Publicly Disclosed: The most recent incident publicly disclosed was on 2025-07.
Impact of the Incidents
What was the most significant data compromised in an incident ?
Most Significant Data Compromised: The most significant data compromised in an incident were Staff personal details (addresses, passport scans), Operational data and .
What was the most significant system affected in an incident ?
Most Significant System Affected: The most significant system affected in an incident was Technology infrastructure of the British Library and Digital ordering systemsEbooksArchives and manuscripts catalogueOnline journal articlesLibrary management systems.
Response to the Incidents
What third-party assistance was involved in the most recent incident ?
Third-Party Assistance in Most Recent Incident: The third-party assistance involved in the most recent incident was expel (security researchers), .
What containment measures were taken in the most recent incident ?
Containment Measures in Most Recent Incident: The containment measures taken in the most recent incident were Robust backup strategiesAir-gapped storage systemsTested disaster recovery procedures, Refusal to pay £600 and000 ransomManual workflows implemented.
Data Breach Information
What was the most sensitive data compromised in a breach ?
Most Sensitive Data Compromised: The most sensitive data compromised in a breach were Operational data, Staff personal details (addresses and passport scans).
Ransomware Information
What was the highest ransom demanded in a ransomware incident ?
Highest Ransom Demanded: The highest ransom demanded in a ransomware incident was £600,000.
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
What was the most significant lesson learned from past incidents ?
Most Significant Lesson Learned: The most significant lesson learned from past incidents was Importance of addressing staff welfare post-breach, Malvertising campaigns exploiting trusted brands (e.g., Microsoft Teams) and search engines (Bing) can effectively bypass user skepticism. Continuous monitoring of ad networks and proactive takedowns of spoofed pages are critical to mitigating such threats. Users should verify download sources and avoid clicking on ads, even from reputable platforms.
What was the most significant recommendation implemented to improve cybersecurity ?
Most Significant Recommendation Implemented: The most significant recommendation implemented to improve cybersecurity was Invest in cyber resilience and backup systems, Improve staff compensation and mental health support, Monitor dark web/underground forums for signs of Rhysida affiliate activity or stolen data sales., Implement stricter ad verification processes on platforms like Bing to prevent spoofing., Adopt Cyber Essentials certification framework, Utilize NCSC Early Warning service, Accelerate system restoration to reduce manual workloads, Transparency in post-incident communications, Enhance email/web filtering to block malicious .LNK files and associated payloads., Educate users on recognizing fake download pages and verifying URLs before downloading software., Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect and block malware like OysterLoader and Latrodectus. and Enhance dark web monitoring for leaked data.
References
What is the most recent source of information about an incident ?
Most Recent Source: The most recent source of information about an incident are Expel (security research), UK Government Announcement, TechRadar (via The Register) and The Independent.
What is the most recent URL for additional resources on cybersecurity best practices ?
Most Recent URL for Additional Resources: The most recent URL for additional resources on cybersecurity best practices is https://www.independent.co.uk, https://www.techradar.com .
Investigation Status
What is the current status of the most recent investigation ?
Current Status of Most Recent Investigation: The current status of the most recent investigation is Ongoing (as of 2025).
Stakeholder and Customer Advisories
What was the most recent stakeholder advisory issued ?
Most Recent Stakeholder Advisory: The most recent stakeholder advisory issued was Trade union (PCS) engagements, Public statements on pay disputes, .
What was the most recent customer advisory issued ?
Most Recent Customer Advisory: The most recent customer advisory issued were an Service disruption noticesApologies for prolonged outages and Users advised to avoid clicking on Bing ads for Microsoft Teams and verify download sources.
Initial Access Broker
Post-Incident Analysis
What was the most significant root cause identified in post-incident analysis ?
Most Significant Root Cause: The most significant root cause identified in post-incident analysis was Inadequate cybersecurity defenses (specifics undisclosed)Lack of redundant manual systemsDelayed recovery timeline, Lack of ad verification on Bing allowing spoofed Microsoft Teams ads.User trust in branded ads/search results leading to clicks on malicious links.Effective use of .LNK files to bypass initial security controls..
What was the most significant corrective action taken based on post-incident analysis ?
Most Significant Corrective Action: The most significant corrective action taken based on post-incident analysis was Partial system restorationsUnion negotiations for staff payDark web monitoring for leaked data, Bing/Microsoft to implement stricter ad vetting for branded keywords (e.g., 'Microsoft Teams').Security awareness training for users on identifying malvertising.Proactive hunting for Rhysida-affiliated malware (OysterLoader, Latrodectus) in enterprise environments..
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Latest Global CVEs (Not Company-Specific)
Description
Angular is a development platform for building mobile and desktop web applications using TypeScript/JavaScript and other languages. Prior to versions 19.2.16, 20.3.14, and 21.0.1, there is a XSRF token leakage via protocol-relative URLs in angular HTTP clients. The vulnerability is a Credential Leak by App Logic that leads to the unauthorized disclosure of the Cross-Site Request Forgery (XSRF) token to an attacker-controlled domain. Angular's HttpClient has a built-in XSRF protection mechanism that works by checking if a request URL starts with a protocol (http:// or https://) to determine if it is cross-origin. If the URL starts with protocol-relative URL (//), it is incorrectly treated as a same-origin request, and the XSRF token is automatically added to the X-XSRF-TOKEN header. This issue has been patched in versions 19.2.16, 20.3.14, and 21.0.1. A workaround for this issue involves avoiding using protocol-relative URLs (URLs starting with //) in HttpClient requests. All backend communication URLs should be hardcoded as relative paths (starting with a single /) or fully qualified, trusted absolute URLs.
Risk Information
cvss4
Base: 7.7
Severity: LOW
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
References
- https://github.com/angular/angular/commit/0276479e7d0e280e0f8d26fa567d3b7aa97a516f
- https://github.com/angular/angular/commit/05fe6686a97fa0bcd3cf157805b3612033f975bc
- https://github.com/angular/angular/commit/3240d856d942727372a705252f7c8c115394a41e
- https://github.com/angular/angular/releases/tag/19.2.16
- https://github.com/angular/angular/releases/tag/20.3.14
- https://github.com/angular/angular/releases/tag/21.0.1
- https://github.com/angular/angular/security/advisories/GHSA-58c5-g7wp-6w37
Description
Forge (also called `node-forge`) is a native implementation of Transport Layer Security in JavaScript. An Uncontrolled Recursion vulnerability in node-forge versions 1.3.1 and below enables remote, unauthenticated attackers to craft deep ASN.1 structures that trigger unbounded recursive parsing. This leads to a Denial-of-Service (DoS) via stack exhaustion when parsing untrusted DER inputs. This issue has been patched in version 1.3.2.
Risk Information
cvss4
Base: 8.7
Severity: LOW
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Description
Forge (also called `node-forge`) is a native implementation of Transport Layer Security in JavaScript. An Integer Overflow vulnerability in node-forge versions 1.3.1 and below enables remote, unauthenticated attackers to craft ASN.1 structures containing OIDs with oversized arcs. These arcs may be decoded as smaller, trusted OIDs due to 32-bit bitwise truncation, enabling the bypass of downstream OID-based security decisions. This issue has been patched in version 1.3.2.
Risk Information
cvss4
Base: 6.3
Severity: LOW
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Description
Suricata is a network IDS, IPS and NSM engine developed by the OISF (Open Information Security Foundation) and the Suricata community. Prior to versions 7.0.13 and 8.0.2, working with large buffers in Lua scripts can lead to a stack overflow. Users of Lua rules and output scripts may be affected when working with large buffers. This includes a rule passing a large buffer to a Lua script. This issue has been patched in versions 7.0.13 and 8.0.2. A workaround for this issue involves disabling Lua rules and output scripts, or making sure limits, such as stream.depth.reassembly and HTTP response body limits (response-body-limit), are set to less than half the stack size.
Risk Information
cvss3
Base: 7.5
Severity: LOW
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Description
Suricata is a network IDS, IPS and NSM engine developed by the OISF (Open Information Security Foundation) and the Suricata community. In versions from 8.0.0 to before 8.0.2, a NULL dereference can occur when the entropy keyword is used in conjunction with base64_data. This issue has been patched in version 8.0.2. A workaround involves disabling rules that use entropy in conjunction with base64_data.
Risk Information
cvss3
Base: 7.5
Severity: LOW
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
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RapidWhat Do We Measure ?
Incident
Finding
Grade
Digital Assets
Every week, Rankiteo analyzes billions of signals to give organizations a sharper, faster view of emerging risks. With deeper, more actionable intelligence at their fingertips, security teams can outpace threat actors, respond instantly to Zero-Day attacks, and dramatically shrink their risk exposure window.
These are some of the factors we use to calculate the overall score:
Network Security
Identify exposed access points, detect misconfigured SSL certificates, and uncover vulnerabilities across the network infrastructure.
SBOM (Software Bill of Materials)
Gain visibility into the software components used within an organization to detect vulnerabilities, manage risk, and ensure supply chain security.
CMDB (Configuration Management Database)
Monitor and manage all IT assets and their configurations to ensure accurate, real-time visibility across the company's technology environment.
Threat Intelligence
Leverage real-time insights on active threats, malware campaigns, and emerging vulnerabilities to proactively defend against evolving cyberattacks.
Rankiteo is a unified scoring and risk platform that analyzes billions of signals weekly to help organizations gain faster, more actionable insights into emerging threats. Empowering teams to outpace adversaries and reduce exposure.
