CSV Confirms Cyber Breach in Victoria’s Court Audiovisual Archive

In Victoria, Australia, an unauthorized cyber intrusion into the judicial proceedings database led to disruptions in the court’s audiovisual network. Additionally, there is a possibility that records of some court sessions held between November 1 and December 21, 2023, may have been pilfered.

Louise Anderson, the Chief Executive Officer of the Court Services Victoria, stated, that the potential access was confined to the records stored within the judicial network. No other systems or records, including employee data or financial information, were impacted.

Court proceedings in January will resume following the isolation and disconnection of the affected network. Court staff are closely collaborating with Australian government cybersecurity experts. The Court Services Victoria has not disclosed whether any ransom demands were received.

Victims of violence and criminal informants could be at risk of exposure following the hackers’ access to a portion of Victoria’s judicial system archive. This compromised data includes video recordings provided for witness protection programs or safeguarded by special court orders.

According to a November 2023 Australian government report, national hacking groups have significantly intensified their assaults on the country’s critical infrastructure. Reports indicate an average of at least one attack every six minutes.