The New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender recently suffered a significant cybersecurity breach on June 27, disrupting their operations. This attack compromised their ability to communicate with clients and criminal court partners, severely impacting the timeliness of court proceedings across the state. Additionally, the breach prevented the office from accessing internal records.
According to state Chief Public Defender Ben Baur, the breach is contained within the Public Defender’s department and has not spread externally. The office is prioritizing the protection of confidential information and is focused on restoring full functionality to their systems. Baur emphasized that the situation is being treated as an emergency, and efforts are being made to ensure client and court partner data remains secure.
In the interim, the LOPD has advised that phone calls and in-person visits are the best methods for public and client interactions while they address the issue. The office operates 13 locations across New Mexico and employs over 400 staff members, all of whom are affected by the breach.
The impact of the attack extends to delays in legal proceedings, highlighting the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures within public sector organizations. The LOPD is working diligently to mitigate the effects of the breach and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
