Hacker Breaks Court Data In Australian Victoria State

Hackers have accessed the court record database in the state of Victoria, Australia. (photo: dock. pexels)

On Tuesday, January 2, an official announced that hackers had accessed a court record database in the Australian state of Victoria. The action disrupted the audio-visual technology network inside the courtroom, which had an impact on transcription recordings and services.

Victorian Court Service CEO Louise Anderson stated in a statement that footage of several court hearings between November 1 and December 21, 2023 may have been stolen. Several hearings before November 1 may also be affected.

"The potential access is limited to recordings stored online. There are no other court systems or records, including employee or financial data, which are accessed," Anderson said.

The hearings in January will continue after the affected network is isolated and disabled. Court officials are working closely with government cybersecurity experts. Victorian Court Services did not disclose whether any ransomware demands were received.

The state-sponsored cyber hacking group and hackers have stepped up its attacks on critical, business and home infrastructure in Australia, as shown in a government report released in November 2023, with one attack occurring every six minutes.

Cyber intrusion at the court database came after an attack at the end of last year on the Australian DP World, one of the country's largest port operators, forcing them to stop operations for three days. Last week, car dealer group Eagers Automotive said cyber incidents also hit their IT system.