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Christie’s CEO Updates on Cybersecurity Incident, Ensures Client Safety June 05, 2024 (0 comments)
London, UK--Christie's CEO Guillaume Cerutti has provided an update on LinkedIn on a cybersecurity incident in July, confirming unauthorized access by a third party to parts of the auction house's network.
[Image of Tutti Frutti necklace by Guillaume Cerutti via LinkedIn]
The investigation revealed that some data was taken, including limited personal information related to clients. The CEO added that no evidence exists of any financial or transactional data being compromised.
Communications with affected clients are also underway. Cerutti noted in his post that Christie's is complying with all regulatory obligations and has notified privacy regulators.
Despite the breach, Christie's auction sales are proceeding as scheduled, with the website and online services fully functional. Cerutti highlighted a recent jewel sale in Hong Kong, where the Cartier 'Tutti Frutti' necklace sold for $8.7 million.
Previously, a cyber attack disrupted $840 million worth of Christie's art auctions. The attack forced the auction house to take its website offline, affecting potential buyers' ability to view items. However, bids continued to be placed via phone and in person, with an alternative website providing basic information about the items for sale.
Amid these challenges, Christie's held a charity watch auction in Geneva, raising $30.8 million for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research. New York auctions also proceeded, featuring significant collections from the 20th and 21st centuries, including works by Pablo Picasso and Georgia O'Keeffe. Despite the website issues, online bidding remained available through Christie's Live service.
In an email to clients, Cerutti assured that the sales would continue as planned, with auctions taking place in the Rockefeller Center salesroom and over the telephone. Bonnie Brennan, president of Christie's Americas, emphasized the importance of in-person sales and expressed confidence in the team's ability to manage the situation and ensure successful auctions.
Check out Cerutti's LinkedIn update.