Hackers Access LA City Attorney Tool Holding Sensitive LAPD Case Files
Summary
Hackers accessed a third-party discovery-transfer tool used by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for LAPD civil-litigation files; LAPD says its systems were not breached. The LA Times reported that 7.7 TB and 337,000+ files may have been accessed.
Key points
- The City Attorney’s Office said hackers accessed a third-party tool used to transfer discovery materials to opposing counsel and litigants.
- LAPD said its systems and networks were not breached; the City Attorney’s Office said no other City applications or systems were involved.
- The office became aware of the breach on March 20 and is investigating with law enforcement, forensic specialists, and the City’s Information Technology Agency.
- The LA Times reported that social media posts allegedly showed 7.7 terabytes available for download and more than 337,000 files accessed.
- The LA Times reported that the materials included witness names, medical information, unredacted criminal complaints, and investigative files; the full scope remains under review.
- The City Attorney’s Office said it would notify affected parties as appropriate after reviewing the data.
Article Details
- Victim Organization
- Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office; the accessed tool contained LAPD-related litigation materials. LAPD systems and networks were not breached.
- Incident Type
- Unauthorized access to a third-party discovery-transfer tool used by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office; sensitive documents from prior LAPD civil litigation were involved.
- Data Types Exposed
- Witness names, medical information, unredacted criminal complaints, and investigative files were reported by the LA Times as included in the accessed materials; the office was investigating the full scope.
- Affected Records
- More than 337,000 files were reportedly accessed, according to the LA Times; this is not a confirmed count of individual records.
- Affected Data Size
- About 7.7 terabytes were reportedly available for download, according to the LA Times; the amount actually downloaded was not confirmed.
- Operational Impact
- The City Attorney’s Office was investigating with law enforcement and external forensic specialists and reviewing the data with the City’s Information Technology Agency. It said no other City applications or systems were involved. LAPD said its systems and networks were not breached.
- Ransom Or Extortion
- Not disclosed.
- Claim Status
- confirmed