Cybersecurity basics for courts
The ongoing rise in cyberattacks highlights an urgent need for courts to take robust cybersecurity measures. The Joint Technology Committee's "Cybersecurity Basics for Courts" guide is a foundational resource that offers a roadmap to prevent, prepare for, and respond to cybercrimes.
This updated 2025 (version 4) resource bulletin has evolved from a basic awareness guide to a comprehensive, court-specific playbook with real-world court incidents, updated statistics, governance tools, advanced strategies, continuity of operations/incident response structures, and a cybersecurity discussion guide.
Why cybersecurity matters for courts:
- Threats are constant. Attacks range from broad, automated intrusions to highly targeted campaigns.
- Disruptions have serious consequences. A breach can delay justice, expose confidential data, and damage public confidence.
- Preparation is key. Understanding risks and planning coordinated responses enhances court resilience.
- Everyone plays a role. Cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue – it involves judges, administrators, clerks, and staff at every level.
Who should read this?
This bulletin introduces core cybersecurity concepts in plain language to help non-technical court personnel collaborate effectively with IT professionals and external partners responsible for their court's cybersecurity. It is intended as both a conversation starter and a catalyst for meaningful action.
- Court administrators & IT leaders: Learn how to prepare and protect your court from cyberattacks.
- Judges & legal teams: Explore key steps in preventing and responding to cybersecurity incidents.
- Court staff: Understand the roles everyone plays in stronger cybersecurity.
Why this guide matters
Produced by the Joint Technology Committee of NCSC, the Conference of State Court Administrators, and the National Association for Court Management, this expert guide can help your court establish incident response teams, secure data assets, and integrate cybersecurity into daily operations.
*Source: "Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025," IBM & Ponemon Institute. July 2025.
Oct. 29 court cybersecurity virtual tabletop exercise
Join us for this free, interactive cybersecurity tabletop exercise designed specifically for courts of all levels.
Cybersecurity by the numbers*
average cost of a data breach in the U.S.
of attacks are malicious or criminal.
of initial attacks are phishing attempts, the most common method.
Key considerations in court cybersecurity
Proactive prevention
Understand threats, safeguard system access, and manage vendor risk to reduce your court's exposure to cyber incidents.
Cyber governance
Create a cross-functional governance body to set enterprise-wide policies, oversee investments, and meet regularly to review risks and incidents.
Incident response planning
Establish and staff a Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (CIRT) with documented roles, playbooks, and a designated public spokesperson.
Risk assessment
Conduct regular risk reviews, maintain asset inventories, and prioritize mitigations based on likelihood and impact.
Invest in cyber resilience
Budget for staff training, timely patching and software updates, penetration testing, and secure backups.
Clear communication
Pre-plan stakeholder notifications, comply with breach laws, maintain secure contact lists, and test alternate communication channels.
Shared responsibility
Foster organization-wide cybersecurity awareness with regular, role-based training that emphasizes each employee's responsibility for prevention and reporting.
Continuity of operations/disaster recovery
Integrate cybersecurity incident playbooks into continuity of operations/disaster recovery plans, define critical functions, and regularly test restores and recovery procedures.
Preserve public trust
Prioritizing prevention and response readiness can help your court boost overall cyber safety and protect the public trust.
Cybersecurity FAQs
Joint Technology Committee
Advancing standards, process and business improvements, and education and training in court technology through actionable thought leadership and guidance to enhance the administration of justice and expand access to courts.
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Assessing cybersecurity in the courts
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Court cybersecurity
NCSC offers expert guidance and solutions, like risk assessments and policy frameworks, to help safeguard court systems from cybersecurity threats.
Best practices for court building security
The Steps to Best Practices for Court Building Security guide developed by NCSC and the Conference of Chief Justices/Conference of State Court Administrators Security and Emergency Preparedness Committee outlines strategies to strengthen court building security through policies, infrastructure, and personnel training - intended to help court leaders, security officers, policy makers, and administrators enable a safer court environment.