Fears sensitive cases could be exposed as Victoria’s court system hacked in cyber attack

Recordings and transcripts from highly sensitive court proceedings may have been accessed by hackers after a state’s court system was breached.

Victoria’s court systems have been hit by a cyber attack. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

One of the country’s biggest court systems has suffered an “unsettling and distressing” cyber attack, with hackers potentially getting hold of sensitive information from hundreds of court proceedings.

Court Services Victoria (CSV) revealed the courts were hit by a ransomware attack, with hackers gaining access to the audiovisual technology network just before Christmas.

Hackers gained access to video and audio recordings as well as transcriptions of court proceedings from November 1 and December 21.

There are now fears recordings from hearings, including witness testimony from highly sensitive cases, may have been accessed or stolen.

Recordings may have been accessed from Supreme Court hearings between December 1 and December 21, the Court of Appeal’s criminal division, practice court and regional hearings in November.

Victoria’s court system was hit by a cyberattack over almost two months.

All criminal and civil hearings in the County Court were also accessed, some committals in the Magistrates’ Court, all hearings in the Coroners Court and one hearing in the Children’s Court in October.

CSV chief executive Louise Anderson on Tuesday said it was possible some hearings before November were also affected by the hack.

“The cyber incident led to unauthorised access leading to the disruption of the audiovisual in-court technology network, impacting video recordings, audio recordings and transcription services,” Ms Anderson said in a statement.

The attack was discovered on December 21 when staff were locked out of computers and the screen read “YOU HAVE BEEN PWND”.

Ms Anderson said CSV took immediate action to isolate and disable the affected network and put in place arrangements to ensure operation continued across the courts.

As a result, hearings in January will be proceeding.

Multiple hearings were affected at the County Court (pictured). Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

Ms Anderson said maintaining security for anyone involved in court cases is of the highest priority.

“Our current efforts are focused on ensuring our systems are safe and making sure we notify people in hearings where recordings may have been accessed,” she said.

“We understand this will be unsettling for those who have been part of a hearing. We recognise and apologise for the distress that this may cause people.”

CSV is working with cybersecurity experts, who have been notified of the incident and are investigating.

The court is also contacting anyone who may have had a hearing and would be affected by the attack.

Acting Premier Ben Carroll said the operations of the court had not been affected, and the attack was “well contained”.

“All court cases, all hearings, all evidence, all procedure is thoroughly protected. We are very confident that we will get to the bottom of it,” Mr Carroll said.

A centre has been set up for anyone who might be affected.