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Senator Wyden Demands Independent Review of Federal Judiciary Cybersecurity Practices

Cyber Security

Business Honor
26 August, 2025

Wyden calls for third-party analysis after repeated breaches of court's case management system.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has requested a third-party assessment of the federal judiciary's cybersecurity practices after a significant breach of its electronic case management system. In a letter to Chief U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, Wyden requested that the judiciary commission an independent analysis by the National Academy of Sciences, highlighting the ongoing string of cyberattacks on the federal court system. The newest breach is the second instance since 2020 that the judiciary's case-filing system has been breached, with foreign entities using the same vulnerabilities. The system was criticized by Wyden as being outdated, insecure, and expensive, which made it a prime target for hackers. He further highlighted that sensitive information, such as details of confidential informants and sealed case files, might have been made available during the recent breach.

The reports indicated that Russia might be implicated in the cyberattacks, which, in turn, creates more questions regarding the integrity of the court's digital systems. Wyden pointed out that the judiciary's inaction in updating its systems has resulted in repeated intrusions, in spite of expert warnings and congressional testimony that the case management system is in dire need of replacement. Wyden also highlighted the lag in embracing tighter cybersecurity protocols. While other federal institutions were forced to implement MFA from 2015, the judiciary has just now finally agreed to adopt MFA by 2025.

The senator had a history of advocating for improvements to the judiciary's cyber security, including efforts to overhaul the record system of the court. Wyden's call for an independent review comes amid growing concern about the security of federal court systems and the urgent necessity for reforms to protect sensitive data from future cyber assaults.