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Reviewed 26 October 2026. Original publication date retained: 2025-08-08.
The British Library's own account describes a ransomware attack identified on 28 October 2023. Its review, published on 8 March 2024, records the response and lessons learned. The Library also states that some data was released in November 2023. This replaces the earlier article's unsupported timing, cost and technical assertions; it does not establish the Library's certification status.
Questions to follow in an audit
- Which important services and dependencies are included in the recovery arrangements?
- What evidence shows that recovery has been exercised rather than only planned?
- Who reviews the findings and confirms that improvements have been completed?
Connect the records with practice
Follow a recovery exercise from its scope and assumptions through the results, outstanding issues and a later readiness decision.
These are illustrative audit trails, not findings about a named organisation, technical instructions or a guarantee of a particular result. The appropriate evidence depends on the activities, risks and agreed scope. The organisation remains responsible for its operations and legal obligations.
AAA provides independent certification audits. Confirm the applicable standard edition, scope and customer requirements before agreeing a programme. Request an indicative price or discuss your proposed audit.
Further reading: British Library incident review; British Library recovery information.