The Cleveland Municipal Court, along with the Cleveland Housing Court, has announced that it will remain closed for another day following a cyber event that occurred last week. This decision comes after the court’s internal systems were impacted by the cyber incident, prompting a thorough investigation into the nature and scope of the attack.
In a statement posted on their Facebook page on February 24th, the Cleveland Municipal Court confirmed that they are treating the cyber event with the utmost seriousness and are working diligently to understand the situation better. They have shut down the affected systems as a precautionary measure while focusing on securing and restoring services safely. Until further notice, all internal systems and software platforms will remain offline, and essential staff will be the only ones allowed access to the closed court building.
Mike Negray, Deputy Court Administrator at Cleveland Municipal Court, has emphasized the importance of taking cyber threats seriously and working swiftly to rectify the situation. While the court remains closed to the public, jail cases will still be considered to ensure essential services are maintained.
This recent cyber incident in Cleveland follows a similar attack on Anne Arundel County, Maryland, where government operations were temporarily shut down last weekend. Officials in Maryland have taken a proactive approach to restoring operations and have encouraged eligible employees to work remotely until internet connectivity issues are resolved.
Emily Phelps, Director at Cyware, has highlighted the need for robust threat intelligence and response strategies in the face of cyber incidents like these. Phelps emphasizes that no organization is immune to such attacks and that swift action to contain and mitigate damage is crucial. The importance of proactive measures, such as intelligence-driven security operations, is underscored by the disruptions faced by municipal services in Cleveland and Maryland.
Public sector organizations, in particular, must prioritize threat visibility and collaboration to effectively combat cyber threats and ensure the continuity of critical operations. Phelps emphasizes the value of a well-integrated approach to threat intelligence in preventing extended shutdowns and safeguarding sensitive data from potential adversaries.
As the Cleveland Municipal Court continues to investigate the cyber event and work towards restoring normal operations, it is clear that cybersecurity resilience and proactive threat management are essential in today’s digital landscape. With cyber incidents posing a constant threat to organizations of all sizes, staying ahead of potential threats through intelligence-driven security measures is key to safeguarding critical services and data.