Cyberattack on Mass. Public Defender Agency
Return To ArticleA cyber-attack has shut down part of Massachusetts’ public defender agency—leaving thousands of attorneys unable to access their own network for weeks. The shutdown is causing a domino effect as some cases are not making it to courts.
Since Feb. 28, a shutdown of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) system includes email, delayed hearings and attorneys not paid who represent defendants. The group provides attorneys for those unable to afford one, including cases involving children within the Department of Children and Families.
An email to attorneys obtained by the NBC10 Boston Investigators describes the hack as two-tiered: A Trojan attack and then ransomware where hackers demand money to restore data.
