The Louvre Heist: A $100M Reminder That Cybersecurity Is Everyone’s Business

In October 2025, thieves pulled off a $102 million heist at the Louvre — yes, that Louvre — stealing priceless French crown jewels in just seven minutes. But what’s more shocking than the speed of the theft? The password to the museum’s surveillance system was reportedly just “Louvre.”

That’s like locking your front door and leaving the key under the welcome mat.

But the problems didn’t stop there.

What Went Wrong?

• The museum’s CCTV system had major blind spots — 61% of galleries had no camera coverage at all.
• The only camera near the break-in point was pointed the wrong way.
• Some security installations were still running until recently on Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 although both operating systems have long been unsupported by Microsoft.
• Previous audits dating back to 2014 warned of these vulnerabilities, but little was done.

This wasn’t just a failure of a password. It was a failure of IT strategy.

What Businesses Can Learn

If the world’s most visited museum can fall behind on cybersecurity, so can any business.

The truth is, cybersecurity isn’t just about tools — it’s about priorities. Many companies focus on growth, sales, or aesthetics, while ignoring the digital locks on their doors.

Key Steps to Protect Your Business

• Use strong, unique passwords — no company names, birthdays, or “123456”

• Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) — it’s your second line of defense

• Adopt passkeys — a modern, phishing-resistant login method

• Keep systems updated and patched — no more Windows 2000, please

• Train your team — because humans are still the weakest link

• Audit your IT regularly — and act on the findings

Don’t Wait for Your Own Louvre Moment

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue — it’s a business survival issue. Whether you’re protecting art, accounting data, or customer records, your digital infrastructure needs to be as secure as your front door.

At Pacific IT Support, we help businesses build smart, proactive IT strategies that go beyond the basics. From password policies to full-stack security and compliance, we make sure your systems are ready for whatever comes next.

Let’s make sure your business doesn’t end up in the headlines — unless it’s for the right reasons.

Contact Pacific It Support

Image Credit: Canva Creative Studio