Ransomware attack shuts down three dozen Los Angeles courts

A ransomware attack has forced the closure of 36 Los Angeles County superior court offices. The attack was detected on Friday, prompting the shutdown of network systems to contain the damage and protect information integrity. While the infection is being removed by internal staff and external security consultants, critical systems remain offline. The court aims to resume operations by Tuesday morning. The closure impacts court proceedings and services, emphasizing the need for a safe and secure environment for judicial officers and staff. Industry experts express skepticism about the swift relaunch timeline, citing the challenges posed by the attack's extent. This incident adds to a series of ransomware-related disruptions in Los Angeles, including recent breaches affecting millions of student records in the LA Unified School District. The situation underscores the ongoing threat ransomware poses to critical infrastructure and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to prevent and mitigate such attacks.