Investigations are underway into a “major data breach” involving the New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), after 9,000 sensitive court files, including domestic violence orders and affidavits, were downloaded.
Cybercrime detectives were alerted to the breach of the NSW Online Registry on Tuesday.
The portal, which is overseen by the DCJ, provides access to sensitive information about both civil and criminal cases across the NSW court system.
NSW Police said detectives were investigating the “major data breach”.
“Cybercrime detectives commenced an investigation under Strike Force Pardey and are working closely with DCJ in order to contain the breach after approximately 9,000 sensitive court files, including apprehended violence orders and affidavits, were downloaded,” a police spokesperson said.
“Investigations remain ongoing to establish the full extent of the breach.”
Anyone who thinks their details may have been compromised by the breach is being urged to make a report through the federal government’s ReportCyber website.
NSW government ‘taking this incident seriously’
NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said the state government was taking the incident seriously.
“I’ve been advised by the Department of Communities and Justice about a significant cyber breach affecting the NSW Online Registry Website,” he said in a statement.
“The NSW government is taking this incident seriously. I am assured that DCJ is working with Cyber Security NSW [and] the NSW Police to ensure the ongoing integrity of the system.
“They are also working to urgently identify and contact affected users and the public will be kept updated as more information becomes available.”
But legal experts have raised concerns about the impact the breach could have on the already vulnerable.
Samantha Lee, the supervising solicitor at the Redfern Legal Centre, said the unauthorised access of private information could endanger domestic violence victims.
“It would be devastating for those who have AVOs before the court and very personal information that could compromise their safety,” she said.
“The [online portal] benefits a lot of people … but unfortunately its security and safety has been breached and it may undermine the confidence in the court process.”
