The largest trial system in the United States based in Los Angeles County shut down all its 36 courthouses on Monday after being hit by ransomware since the early morning of Friday. At first, it was believed to be a world tech problem; later, the problem was identified as a ransomware attack, which forced almost all judicial systems, including the jury portal and the court’s website.
Court officials became aware of the cyberattack on Friday July 19, 2024 and despite a scramble all through the weekend and the subsequent Monday the courts remained shut. This prompted presiding Judge Samantha Jessner to call it an ‘unprecedented attack’, and said that more time was required to manage the scale of the problem, to save the court from further erosion, and for security and confidentiality concerns. Therefore, it became a practice that Monday became a court holiday and it was stricter in a sense that it added a day to any given deadline.
The concerned law enforcement agencies are incorporating local, state, and federal policies, together with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for investigations. Trial Proponents went on to clarify to the public that there has never been any incidence of hacking off any users’ databases of the Courts.
The courthouses, with the key one being the Stanley Mosk Courthouse will resume operation tomorrow, Tuesday, July 23; however, some operations may still be constrained. There has been a word from the officials urging people to prepare for delays and keep a check on matters concerning jury duty and any other function of the court.
However the LA County Sheriff’s Department will be positioned some of its deputies at courthouse to avail their assistance where necessary. This episode raises concerns about the cybersecurity of vital facilities and the tremendous amount of time it takes to ‘reassure the normal condition. ’