The Louvre’s Warning for Us All
The recent theft of the remaining French Crown Jewels from the Louvre has raised eyebrows across Europe and for good reason.
The Louvre is widely regarded as one of the most secure museums in France, if not the world. It invests heavily in people, technology and systems to protect priceless national treasures. Yet, in a matter of minutes, thieves were able to gain access to the jewels and escape . It is an incident that has since prompted serious questions about how such a breach could happen.
While the investigation continues, early indications point to potential weaknesses in risk assessment and compliance. The jewels were displayed in an area that proved more accessible than may have been thought, and reports suggest the attackers exploited an external access point with relative ease.
Understandably this event may re focus your attention on your own security: whether the risk assessment adequately reflects the current exposure of the people and assets you are protecting, and whether the security systems and procedures in place are still as robust as intended.
The UK’s independent inspectorate model
This incident is a reminder that investment alone does not guarantee protection. Even the most advanced technology can underperform if systems are not properly assessed, installed or maintained in line with robust standards.
This is where the UK’s approach offers a key point of difference to mainland Europe and much of the rest of the world.
In the UK, organisations benefit from an additional layer of protection: the presence of an independent inspectorate, such as NSI, which regularly inspects and certifies the work of approved installers, not just the underlying installed system components.
That distinction is crucial.
It is not just the products that are approved. It is the whole installed security solution, from design and installation through to maintenance.
Independent certification helps ensure that security systems are installed to recognised standards and continue to be maintained as intended over time. It helps ensure that systems function effectively in their operational environment and that vulnerabilities are identified and addressed through inspection and continuous improvement – particularly with certifications like NSI’s NACOSS Gold.
This more comprehensive approach helps to reassure end users, insurers and the public that the protection in place truly meets the required level of resilience.
A wake-up call across the security sector
The Louvre’s experience is a timely reminder that compliance is not a one-off exercise. Risk profiles evolve, technologies change, display exhibits get moved and so too must the systems and procedures that protect high-value assets. Independent oversight through third-party certification is a vital safeguard against complacency, providing independent oversight that helps ensure standards are being applied in practice, not just on paper.
While the Louvre’s case may be exceptional in its scale and visibility, the underlying lessons apply across every sector – from heritage and critical infrastructure to retail and residential security.
Third-party accreditation and regular inspection remain cornerstones of trust in any security system. They help ensure that good intentions and good money invested translate into effective protection.
Because when it comes to safeguarding what matters most, the real measure of security is not how much is spent, it’s how well those systems perform when they’re needed. For this reason poor security is always more expensive than good.
Join the community trusted by insurers, recognised by Police and chosen by 90% of the most respected brands across the industry with NSI’s NACOSS Gold and System Silver. Reach out to find out more.