It Wasn't 1234 or asdf... The Louvre Museum's Password After $150 Million Heist Was 'Louvre'

The Password for the Thales-Managed Security System Was Also "Thales"
Experts Have Warned of Security Vulnerabilities for Over a Decade

It has been revealed that the security password for the Louvre Museum, often called the world's greatest museum, was none other than "Louvre." The lax security measures, exposed after a royal jewelry theft worth about 150 billion won, have shocked the whole of France.

A police car parked in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum. Photo by AP Yonhap News Agency

On the 6th (local time), the British daily The Times reported that the password for the Louvre Museum's security video system was "Louvre," and that the password for another security system managed by the defense contractor Thales was also "Thales." This information came to light after a Louvre employee, who requested anonymity, disclosed it in an interview with French media.

Experts have been warning for over a decade that the Louvre's security system is overly simplistic and outdated, making it vulnerable to hacking and intrusion. However, the museum took no significant action. In fact, some security equipment was still running on Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, both of which no longer receive technical support from Microsoft.

A review by the French Court of Auditors of the Louvre's finances from 2018 to 2024 found that while more than 105 million euros (about 150 billion won) was spent on acquiring new works and 63.5 million euros (about 92 billion won) on remodeling exhibition spaces, only 26.7 million euros (about 38 billion won) was allocated to strengthening security and maintaining facilities.

The fire response plan, established in 2004, still has not been completed after 20 years, and the installation of surveillance cameras in exhibition halls has progressed slowly. As of last year, only 39% of the Louvre's exhibition spaces were equipped with surveillance cameras.

As public outrage grew over this incident, Minister of Culture Rachida Dati ordered Louvre Director Laurence des Cars to convene an emergency board meeting on the 7th. The meeting is expected to discuss the establishment of a new security department and the installation of intrusion prevention devices.

On the 19th of last month, police officers were conducting an investigation next to a high-end work vehicle used by thieves at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Pierre Moscovici, President of the French Court of Auditors, said, "The jewelry theft is an unmistakable warning sign."

Meanwhile, on the 5th, Yonhap News, citing The Guardian and others, reported that French judicial authorities had identified Abdoulaye N (36), who was known as a local influencer under the name "Doudou Cross Bitume," as a suspect in the theft.

Abdoulaye previously worked as a security guard at logistics companies such as UPS and Toys "R" Us, as well as at the Pompidou Center art museum. He has multiple convictions for offenses including drug possession and transport, unlicensed driving, and endangering others, and was convicted in 2014 for a jewelry store robbery, with a total of 15 previous convictions.

The French prosecutor's office has provisionally charged Abdoulaye and three other suspects with organized crime and conspiracy, and is pursuing one more suspect, but the stolen items have not yet been recovered.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.