[BreachExchange] Philly Courts Still Down after Cyber-Attack

[Destry Winant]

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/philly-courts-still-down-after-1/

After a May 21, 2019, cyber-attack downed Philadelphia’s online court
system for e-filing and docketing services, issues remain throughout
the county, according to Government Technology.

On June 11, Government Technology reported that the computer networks
of the Luzerne County Correctional Facility in Pennsylvania continue
to be impacted, leaving inmates unable to order items from the jail
commissary.

“The First Judicial District and City OIT are working in concert to
ensure the safety of the First Judicial District’s electronic web
system following the discovery of malware on a limited number of FJD
workstations. As a precautionary measure the FJD’s website, employee
email accounts, and electronic filing (e-file) have been temporarily
suspended,” a May 31 notice from the The Philadelphia Courts First
Judicial District of Pennsylvania stated.

“We are currently unable to provide more information concerning this
virus so as not to provide any detail-specific information that could
jeopardize the remediation process we are engaged in. In addition to
City OIT, the FJD is contracting the services of a firm specializing
in cybersecurity to assist in getting impacted operations restored
safely.”

Since then, the courts have been using social media to engage with
members of the community. On June 10, the Philadelphia courts
expressed appreciation for the community’s patience as employees work
to meet filing needs.

The city has reportedly hired a cybersecurity firm to investigate the
attack, though said firm has not been named.

“Declining to name a publicly funded contractor has raised eyebrows.
So far, the court has described the unnamed vendor as a firm
'specializing in cyber security to assist in getting impacted
operations restored safely.' Courts spokesperson Marty O’Rourke has
declined repeated requests for the name of the vendor – as well as the
amount the city is paying for these services,” Billy Penn’s Max Marin
reported.