First Judicial Circuit continues investigation of cybersecurity breach

First Judicial Circuit continues investigation of cybersecurity breach

‘We will continue to provide the citizens of our circuit with the timely resolution of the matters brought before our courts’

The First Judicial Circuit is still dealing with an “information technology security event” that was first reported October 2, and it is still unknown if any personal information contained in court records has been exposed, according to Trial Court Administrator Kasey Watson.

“The security of personal data is our priority,” Chief Judge John L. Miller said in a statement released Monday evening. “We will continue to provide the citizens of our circuit with the timely resolution of the matters brought before our courts.”

Watson said the court responded quickly after the breach was identified and shut down systems to mitigate risk to sensitive information and began a thorough investigation of the attack, including coordinating with law enforcement agencies and external cybersecurity experts.

“As a result of the incident, certain applications used by the courts have been affected,” said Watson, noting, however, that the records and data maintained by the clerks of the court in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties were not impacted.

The cyber attack remains under investigation.

“In the meantime, with the invaluable assistance and cooperation of the Clerks of Court, the Office of the State Attorney, the Office of the Public Defender, and the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, along with other partner agencies, court hearings will continue as scheduled,” Watson said.