We're not in e-Kansas anymore: State courts reel from 'unauthorized incursion'

2023-10-16 17:32

An unspecified security incident is forcing many state courts across Kansas to rely on paper filings, and it may have continue to do so for weeks, a state judge has warned.

The Kansas Supreme Court issued a brief notice that it was "Experiencing network issues" on Thursday, October 12, and a short time later the same day said it was turning off its eFiling system until Sunday, October 15, "To give the judicial branch time to examine a security incident."

"Courts are open and operating, but clerks cannot receive electronic filings or electronic payments. All filings must be on paper or by fax. Paper filings can be hand delivered or sent by mail," The Register is told by the Kansas Judicial Branch.

Per the Kansas Supreme Court, user access to state eFiling systems, the Protection Order Portal, District Court public access portal, case inquiry system, online marriage applications, payment processing, and a new statewide centralized case management system still being deployed across Kansas are all affected.

"At this time, it is unknown if the possible security concern is associated with the Kansas Supreme Court's network security incident," Topeka officials said.

Without a response from someone in Kansas or at Tyler, The Register is unable to confirm the exact nature of the incident, but it would hardly be the first time a US government system - state or federal - were knocked offline for a prolonged period due to ransomware.

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