The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, responsible for the state’s court system, experienced a cyberattack that resulted in the disabling of several online systems, officials announced on Sunday night. Chief Justice Debra Todd revealed that the incident, categorized as a “denial of service” attack, is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. This type of cyberattack overwhelms the targeted host or network with traffic, rendering it unresponsive or causing it to crash.
Despite the disruption, officials assured the public that no data compromise had occurred. The state’s courts remained operational during the incident, with Chief Justice Todd emphasizing the resilience of the system. The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts refrained from identifying the attackers or disclosing any potential motives. Additionally, details about the effectiveness of the agency’s cybersecurity measures and whether the attackers made any ransom demands were not immediately provided.
Among the affected online systems were the use of docket sheets and an electronic case document filing portal. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining digital security for critical government services. As investigations continue, Pennsylvania residents and legal professionals are urged to remain vigilant about potential impacts on online court-related services.
