Court cases and tribunals in Australia have been affected by a cybersecurity incident, with potential access to recordings of hearings by attackers, according to Court Services Victoria (CSV).
In a statement on January 2, 2024, the CSV disclosed the incident, which was initially alerted to on December 21, 2023. The agency took time to determine the extent of affected recordings and transcripts.
The incident led to unauthorized access to CSV systems, disrupting the audio visual in-court technology network, including video recordings, audio recordings, and transcription services. Recordings of hearings between November 1 and December 21, 2023, including those in the Supreme Court of Victoria, may have been accessed.
Some compromised recordings may involve individuals with protected identities under court orders or legislation, which CSV CEO Louise Anderson acknowledged and apologized for causing distress. The nature of the incident has not been disclosed, and CSV is not aware of any released recordings.
While all courts continue to operate with secure arrangements, CSV is working to re-establish the affected network. No other court systems or records, including employee or financial data, were accessed. Relevant authorities, including Victoria Police, have been notified and are assisting with the investigation.
Efforts to notify individuals in potentially affected hearings are ongoing, with a Contact Centre established for further information or assistance. CSV is also working to enhance security across the broader court and tribunal-wide technology environment.
