Chief Justice Marla Luckert provides an update on the recovery efforts following a cyberattack on Kansas district courts
Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert announced on Tuesday that the information system used by over 100 district courts in Kansas, which was crippled by a cyberattack in early October, is expected to be restored by the end of December. The attack, carried out by sophisticated international criminals, disrupted the system used for electronically filing documents and processing court cases. While the judicial branch has not disclosed the extent of the information stolen or whether a ransom was demanded, efforts are underway to recover and secure the affected systems.
Recovery Plan and Timeline:
The judicial branch has been working diligently to restore the Kansas eCourt case management system, which is used by 104 out of 105 counties in Kansas. The system is crucial for electronically filing documents and managing court cases. The recovery plan includes setting up secure computer access at the Judicial Center in Topeka for public appointment-only searches of district court case information. Additionally, a separate service center has been established to address the needs of district courts while the eCourt system is being restored.
Chief Justice Luckert emphasized that the timeline for recovery is subject to change, as the judicial branch is seeking input from cybersecurity incident recovery experts. While the current estimate is that the system will be restored by the end of December, the branch is prepared for potential fluctuations as the recovery plan progresses.
Impact on Johnson County:
Johnson County, the only county operating on an independent network, was not directly affected by the cyberattack. However, the county had been scheduled to join the Kansas eCourt system in 2024. The restoration efforts will ensure that the county can seamlessly transition to the eCourt system when the time comes.
Phased Restoration Approach:
The judicial branch plans to relaunch the Kansas eCourt and the Kansas Courts eFiling system for district courts before activating the District Court Public Access Portal, which provides the general public with access to case information. The online portal is typically used for processing electronic payments of fines, fees, and other costs. The restoration of the efiling and case management systems for the Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals will follow once the district court systems are fully operational and secure.
Conclusion:
The cyberattack on the information system used by Kansas district courts in October has prompted the judicial branch to take swift action to restore and secure the affected systems. Chief Justice Marla Luckert’s update on the recovery efforts provides hope that the Kansas eCourt case management system will be fully restored by the end of December. While challenges and potential fluctuations may arise, the judicial branch is committed to ensuring the efficient and secure operation of the court systems. As the restoration progresses, the judiciary will continue to work towards enhancing cybersecurity measures to prevent future attacks and safeguard the integrity of the judicial process.
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