(KAIR)--Despite underway efforts to bring judicial branch information systems back online in phases, there is no firm timeline when they will be fully restored.
That word is delivered in a release from the Kansas Courts, updating the status of the repairs made necessary by what's being called "a security incident," which occurred October 12. The release explains that the Kansas court information systems have been offline since the targeting of the Office of Judicial Administration. Law enforcement has been made aware, along with the Kansas Information Security Office, with the release noting that "the Office of Judicial Administration is cooperating with their inquiry into the matter."

Chief Justice Marla Luckert, in the release, says the phased recovery includes upgrading firewalls, rebuilding the network, and securing the technology environment," with Luckert adding that they "are following best practices for restoring and managing [the] information systems safely and securely, and it takes time.”

Beyond rebuilding a safe and secure environment for its information systems, the judicial branch is planning how it will restore access to court case data. It will occur incrementally, and it will start with access to district court case information through a network of computers in the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka.

Soon the judicial branch will have two information centers in the Kansas Judicial Center. One bank of computer terminals will be used to support district courts. It will be staffed by several employees from the Office of Judicial Administration and volunteers from nearby district courts. Together, they will access data and records to fill district court information needs.

A second group of computers in a first-floor meeting room will be used for public access to district court case information. To manage demand, the Office of Judicial Administration will set up an appointment system. People who need to search district court case information will use the appointment system to sign up for a 30-minute session. Searches must be done in person in the Judicial Center.

Initially, the public access center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If demand is great, and staffing available, evening hours could be offered.