Kansas state courts are grappling with an ongoing cybersecurity incident that has disrupted several critical court systems. The incident, which was described as a “security incident” by the Kansas judicial branch, has impacted multiple key systems, including the eFiling system, electronic payments, and case management systems used by district and appellate courts.
While the courts remain operational, clerks can’t accept electronic filings or payments, leading to the extension of certain filing deadlines. An investigation is underway to determine the nature and extent of the breach.
The disruption has left several online systems inaccessible, including the Kansas Courts eFiling system, the Kansas Protection Order Portal, the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal, the Appellate Case Inquiry System, and others. The Office of Judicial Administration is working with experts to investigate the security incident and will provide a timeline for system restoration once the investigation is completed.
Despite the challenges, Chief Justice Marla Luckert emphasized the commitment to serving communities through different methods during the system outage.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of state court systems to cyber threats, following a similar incident involving Florida state courts affected by a ransomware attack. The extent and impact of such disruptions raise concerns about the cybersecurity and resilience of legal systems in the digital age. The investigation into this incident will be crucial in understanding the breach and implementing necessary security measures to prevent future disruptions.
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