The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Tuesday that its computer system had been hacked. This breach is significant because the ICC is a high-profile international institution that deals with sensitive information about war crimes. The ICC detected unusual activity on its computer network last week and is currently responding to the incident. The seriousness of the hack, its resolution status, and the identity of the perpetrators have not been disclosed. The ICC has taken immediate measures to address the cybersecurity incident and minimize its impact.
The ICC, located in The Hague, Netherlands, is a permanent war crimes tribunal established in 2002. Its purpose is to prosecute individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Currently, the court is conducting 17 investigations into various situations, including those in Ukraine, Uganda, Venezuela, Afghanistan, and the Philippines.
In March, the ICC gained attention when it issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of illegally deporting children from Ukraine. The Kremlin denies these allegations and rejects the court’s jurisdiction.
The hacked systems at the ICC may contain highly sensitive documents, such as criminal evidence and the identities of protected witnesses. However, the specific part of the systems that was accessed has not been disclosed.
The ICC is working with the Dutch government to analyze and mitigate the impact of the incident. Additionally, the court is taking steps to enhance its cybersecurity. The Dutch National Cyber Security Centre is supporting the investigation, but further details have not been provided.
The president of the ICC’s bar association, Marie-Hélène Proulx, stated that lawyers for defendants and victims have been affected by the security measures implemented in response to the incident. She commended the efforts to secure the court’s information systems and expressed hope for a prompt resolution.
The Dutch intelligence agency (AIVD) has identified the ICC as a target of interest for Russia due to its investigations into possible Russian war crimes in Georgia and Ukraine. In June 2022, the AIVD revealed that a Russian military agent had posed as a Brazilian in an attempt to infiltrate the court.
In August 2023, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan warned that cyber attacks could be used in future war crimes investigations. He emphasized the need for the ICC to strengthen its defenses to protect against disinformation, data destruction, data alteration, and the leaking of confidential information.
In conclusion, the ICC has experienced a cybersecurity breach, and the investigation is ongoing. The court is taking immediate measures to address the incident and minimize its impact. The ICC’s work in prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity remains crucial, and efforts to enhance cybersecurity are underway.
