From Patient Files to Court Records: Hackers Target What Matters Most - Cybersecurity in America: A National Wake-Up Call

Cybersecurity in the United States is no longer just a technical matter. It has become a national crisis. A July 2025 report by Resilience revealed that ransomware attacks on the healthcare sector surged by more than 30 percent in 2024. Despite these numbers, cybersecurity still ranks low on the priority list for many hospitals and clinics. That negligence leaves patient data and medical records exposed to theft and extortion.

The shock didn’t stop at healthcare. In early August 2025, the federal judiciary confirmed that its core electronic systems CMECF and PACER were hit by what officials described as escalated cyberattacks. These platforms are the backbone of electronic court filings. If compromised, sealed documents such as search warrants, secret indictments, or sensitive motions may already be in the hands of attackers.

Judicial sources said investigations are underway involving Congress, the Department of Justice, and Homeland Security. The urgency is clear. Many of the judiciary’s digital systems date back decades and are long overdue for modernization. Reports from The Record, Cybernews, and TechRadar emphasize how deeply this breach could undermine trust in the justice system.

The bigger picture is hard to ignore. Healthcare and the courts are pillars of public life, yet both have proven to be soft targets in today’s escalating cybercrime environment. The question we must ask ourselves soon is this: if two of the most vital institutions in society can be shaken so easily, what does that mean for the rest of our digital infrastructure?

Cyberattacks are no longer random events. They are becoming steady, calculated assaults on the systems people rely on most. The hospitals that safeguard health. The courts that uphold rights. The signs are flashing red.

What Should Be Done

The United States cannot wait for the next big attack. We need urgent steps now:

• Invest in modernization: replace outdated federal and healthcare IT systems that remain decades behind.

• Mandate stronger standards: enforce minimum cybersecurity requirements for hospitals, clinics, and courts, just as we do for physical safety.

• Train and staff: increase funding for cybersecurity professionals in public institutions where talent gaps remain critical.

• Public awareness: Encourage everyday users to stay vigilant because attacks often begin with phishing and weak passwords.

The stakes are clear. America’s digital backbone is cracking, and unless action is taken quickly, the next wave of attacks will strike even closer to home.