Russia Suspected in Cybersecurity Breach of US Federal Court System
The New York Times reports that investigators have found evidence suggesting Russia may be responsible for a recent breach into the computer system managing federal court records. These records include exceptionally sensitive information that could disclose sensitive sources or reveal individuals involved in national security crimes. While the specific entity behind the breach remains unclear, some sources suggest that a Russian intelligence agency might be involved, or that other nations could also be at play. The breach is thought to represent a long-term cyber-espionage effort, with some searches involving midlevel criminal cases in New York City and other jurisdictions, particularly those with Russian and Eastern European surnames.
In response, court administrators have alerted Justice Department officials, clerks, and chief judges about the breach, urging them to remove the most sensitive documents from the system. The Justice Department had previously raised the issue in early 2021 after the system was first compromised. The breach has prompted officials to issue urgent advisories to move cases with overseas ties off the regular system. These advisories have been made quietly to the chief judges of district courts across the country, and they have been advised not to discuss the matter with other judges in their districts. The administrators also advised those officials to quickly remove the most sensitive documents from the system.
“This remains an URGENT MATTER that requires immediate action,” officials wrote, referring to guidance that the Justice Department had issued in early 2021 after the system was first infiltrated. The breach has prompted the administration to revisit its cybersecurity protocols and to re-emphasize the importance of protecting classified information. Officials have also been working to improve the system’s security to prevent any future breaches that could compromise sensitive national security data. Some of the searches included midlevel criminal cases in the New York City area and several other jurisdictions, with some cases involving people with Russian and Eastern European surnames.
The breach of the federal court system is a significant concern for cybersecurity officials, as it highlights the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure. The breach underscores the need for continued vigilance and robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information from potential threats. As investigations continue, the full scope of the breach and the extent of the damage may become clearer, but for now, the focus remains on mitigating the risk posed by the breach and ensuring the security of the system.