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A cybersecurity attack resulted in long delays for retrieving records from courthouses throughout the state of Kansas.

The Cyberattack

In October 2023, a cyberattack was put into effect against the Kansas court system. The perpetrators were able to complete a breach, which compromised personal data that is stored by numerous courthouses. Further, they threatened to release this data using ransomware.

Courthouse records contain extremely sensitive information that should not be made available to the public. That made the cyberattack a serious issue which needed to be dealt with immediately. Therefore, all access to court records was temporarily cut off. While this was a necessary move, one unfortunate side effect was that the data which is used by Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) to produce employment background checks became unavailable.

A Statement From The Judicial Branch

Following the breach, the Kansas Judicial Branch released a statement regarding their approach to restoring access. They are aware that the records they provide are essential for employers when they are considering potential applicants, volunteers or contractors.

The statement clarified that courts in 104 counties were affected. Initially, the Judicial Branch hoped for a swift resolution, but this issue was more complicated than expected. As of December 2023, 28 counties had records available again, but many more courts were still unable to provide records. Unfortunately, the effects of this breach continue to be felt today.

Read the statement.

How This Affects Employers

Employers that are located in or considering someone who resides in Kansas may be affected by longer than usual turnaround times for background reports. Unfortunately, this affects the entire screening industry, but the members of the court system are working diligently to complete the restoration.

The Backgrounds Online Approach

The team at Backgrounds Online does everything possible to complete background check requests in a timely manner. When reports might be delayed, we proactively reach out to our clients to inform them and offer as many options as possible. Some courts in Kansas now allow access to records through on-site terminals. We work with a nationwide group of court runners who can help us retrieve records as quickly as possible.

When appropriate, Backgrounds Online will also recommend statewide criminal searches that can help us offer our clients the information they need to start their decision-making process. Our team is dedicated to helping employers receive data that empowers them to make informed choices and maintain safe workplaces.

Need Background Checks?

If your organization needs employment background checks for individuals in Kansas or anywhere else in the United States, please contact us. Every member of our team is highly trained and knowledgeable about how to help employers overcome their screening challenges so they can identify and hire strong candidates.

Backgrounds Online can help you customize screening packages that fit your particular needs, comply with relevant laws and meet industry regulations. We are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.