Cleveland Municipal Court Closure Extends into Second Week Following Cyber Incident

The Cleveland Municipal Court, including the Cleveland Housing Court, remains closed as of Monday, March 3, 2025, following a cyber incident that began on February 24, 2025. This extended closure underscores the severity of the situation and the challenges involved in restoring affected systems. ​Ground News 

The Cleveland Municipal Court has been forced to shut down following a cyber incident that prompted officials to take systems offline as a precaution. This marks yet another cybersecurity disruption affecting the city's infrastructure, raising concerns over the increasing frequency of cyberattacks on public institutions.

What Happened?

On Monday, February 24, 2025, Cleveland Municipal Court officials announced an unexpected closure due to a “cyber incident.” While details remain scarce, the shutdown affected all court operations, including hearings, filings, and other essential services. The following day, officials confirmed that the court would remain closed, as internal systems and software platforms were still offline for assessment.

To handle the situation, the Ohio National Guard and Ohio Cyber Reserve have been deployed to investigate and mitigate the threat. Despite their involvement, there is no confirmed timeline for when the court will be able to resume normal operations.

Court officials have taken all internal systems and software platforms offline as a precautionary measure to secure and safely restore services. The court's website is also inaccessible during this period. darkreading.com

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities working diligently to understand its nature and scope. However, specific details about the cyber threat, including whether it involves ransomware or data breaches, have not been disclosed. ​GovTech

Impact on Court Operations

The court remains closed to the public, with only essential staff permitted on-site. Consequently, all court operations, including hearings and filings, are suspended until further notice. This disruption has raised concerns about potential delays in legal proceedings and access to justice for those awaiting court services. ​

This incident is part of a broader trend of cyberattacks targeting municipal governments. For instance, Anne Arundel County in Maryland recently experienced a cyberattack that led to the closure of several municipal offices. Such incidents highlight the vulnerabilities within public sector cybersecurity infrastructures. ​

While the specifics of the cyberattack have not been disclosed, there are several potential cybersecurity risks that such an incident could pose:

• Data Breach: If attackers accessed court records, sensitive legal documents, personal information, or case files may be at risk.
• Ransomware Attack: Given Cleveland's history with cyber incidents, a ransomware attack is a likely possibility. Last year, a ransomware attack forced Cleveland City Hall to shut down for over a week, disrupting city operations.
• Operational Delays: A prolonged system outage could lead to significant backlogs in court cases, missed hearings, and legal complications.
• Security Weaknesses in Government Infrastructure: This incident underscores vulnerabilities in public sector cybersecurity, which is often a target due to outdated systems and limited resources.

A Growing Pattern of Cyber Threats

This is not the first time Cleveland has faced cybersecurity challenges. In the summer of 2024, a major ransomware attack targeted Cleveland City Hall, crippling municipal operations for over a week. The recurrence of cyber incidents within the city highlights an urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures, including stronger defenses, incident response protocols, and investment in secure IT infrastructure.

Authorities have yet to confirm whether data was stolen or if any specific ransom demands were made. Until the investigation concludes, court officials are expected to maintain their offline status to prevent further compromise. Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts and law enforcement will work to determine the scope and source of the attack.

Looking Ahead

As the situation develops, court officials are expected to provide updates on the progress of their investigation and restoration efforts. The priority remains to secure systems and resume normal operations as swiftly and safely as possible.​

The incident serves as a reminder that cybersecurity is no longer optional for public institutions. Municipalities must implement proactive defenses, continuous monitoring, and updated security policies to prevent similar attacks in the future.

For businesses and organizations, this attack is a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity preparedness. Some actionable steps to mitigate cyber risks include:

• Regular Security Audits & Penetration Testing – Identify and patch vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.
• Employee Training – Human error is one of the biggest security risks. Educate employees on phishing, ransomware, and social engineering tactics.
• Robust Data Backup Strategies – Having offline, encrypted backups ensures critical data can be restored in the event of an attack.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Strong authentication reduces the risk of unauthorized access to critical systems.
• Incident Response Planning – A well-defined cybersecurity response plan helps organizations act swiftly in the event of an attack.

As the Cleveland Municipal Court continues to navigate this crisis, businesses and municipalities alike should take this as a warning—cyber threats are growing in both frequency and sophistication. The question is no longer if an attack will happen but when.

For organizations looking to bolster their cybersecurity defenses, Securafy provides penetration testing, compliance solutions, and 24/7 network security monitoring to help prevent these types of incidents before they cause operational disruptions.