Kathrine Frich
Court records are some of the most valuable and sensitive in the federal system.
Court records are some of the most valuable and sensitive in the federal system.
Russian Hackers Stole U.S. Court Secrets for Years
Russian state-sponsored hackers have spent years infiltrating the U.S. federal court system, stealing sealed documents that were never meant to see the light of day.
According to sources and a report reviewed by Bloomberg News, the hackers accessed classified files through stolen login credentials and exploited a vulnerability in an outdated server.
The documents targeted included cases involving espionage, financial crimes, and foreign agents.
Hidden Access to America’s Most Sensitive Legal Files
The breach exposed sealed court documents, many of which included highly sensitive intelligence and investigative data.
These files could include the names of informants, undercover agents, or details of covert operations.
Security experts warn this access could compromise national security and ongoing criminal investigations.
Trump Responds: “That’s What They Do. They’re Good at It”
When asked if he would raise the hacking issue with Putin at their upcoming Alaska summit, Donald Trump responded bluntly:
“That’s what they do. They’re good at it. And we’re good at it. In fact, we’re better at it.”
His comments sparked concern among critics who say the breach should have triggered a stronger reaction.
Cybersecurity Gaps and a Delayed Response
It remains unclear when the initial breach occurred, or how long hackers had access.
The court system hired cybersecurity experts last fall, years after the intrusion began.
Critics question how such a high-level attack remained undetected and whether officials acted fast enough to secure the system.
Congress Was Briefed as Threat Grew
Lawmakers on the Senate and House Judiciary Committees were briefed on the situation earlier this summer.
A classified follow-up session has been requested for September.
Several federal courts have since changed procedures, requiring hard-copy filings for sensitive materials to avoid further digital exposure.
A Pattern of Russian Cyber Espionage
This isn’t the first time U.S. systems have been targeted by Russian hackers.
The infamous SolarWinds attack in 2020, which affected multiple federal agencies, was also attributed to Kremlin-backed groups.
It’s still unclear if the court breach is directly connected, but it fits the pattern of long-term, stealthy cyber infiltration.
Court Systems Still Struggling with Outdated Technology
Judge Michael Scudder, chair of the courts’ IT committee, recently told Congress that years of underfunding left the judiciary vulnerable.
Until recently, many courts lacked even basic security measures like multifactor authentication.
Cybersecurity improvements are finally being implemented, but many say it’s far too late.
High-Stakes Data, Low Security
Experts say court records are some of the most valuable and sensitive in the federal system.
Jake Braun, a former cybersecurity director in the Biden White House, warned that the lack of funding for digital protection is putting lives and investigations at risk.
Some courts have now banned digital uploads of sealed materials, reverting to physical documents for added protection.
