Protecting Court Systems from Cyber Threats: The Case for a Zero Trust Approach

In today's rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, judiciary agencies face unique and increasingly sophisticated challenges. From ensuring the integrity of sensitive court records to protecting personal data and maintaining operational continuity, the judiciary’s responsibilities make it a prime target for cyberattacks. Disruptions in operations or data breaches don’t just erode trust; they can delay justice—a cost that society cannot afford.

To preserve the public’s confidence and the uninterrupted delivery of justice, it’s time for courts to rethink their approach to cybersecurity. A Zero Trust security model offers a forward-looking solution that directly addresses the threats we face today while building resilience for the digital future.

Why Zero Trust Matters for Courts

The judiciary has long operated within systems built on trust—networks and users implicitly trusted once access was granted. However, this traditional model creates vulnerabilities, as it assumes everything within the system is safe. Modern cyberattacks exploit these gaps, spreading malicious activity laterally once inside a network.

Zero Trust eliminates these weaknesses by removing all implicit trust and requiring explicit, ongoing verification for every user, device, and system. It ensures that only authenticated, specific, and necessary access is granted. Critically, this process happens seamlessly, with automated verification delivering robust security and a smoother user experience.

While many courts have begun implementing elements of Zero Trust to support remote work, expanding its use across the judiciary can unlock the full potential to secure sensitive data and safeguard the public trust that courts work tirelessly to maintain.

Key Benefits of Zero Trust for Judiciary Systems

Zero Trust offers transformative advantages tailored to the unique security needs and challenges faced by judiciary systems in today's digital landscape

Enhanced Security

• Continuous user verification and activity monitoring detect anomalies before they escalate into issues.
• Data loss prevention layers protect sensitive personal, legal, and administrative information.
• Stopping lateral movement ensures that even if a network is breached, threats cannot spread unchecked.

Operational Efficiency

• Removing reliance on VPNs improves performance for remote users and minimizes risk.
• Existing security tools can be better integrated, with a focus on vulnerability identification and timely alerting.

Public Trust & Accessibility

• Public-facing platforms such as online case filing, fine payments, and case updates remain secure, ensuring essential access for citizens while reducing risk.
• Generative AI tools can be safely incorporated into court operations, using strict data governance policies baked into Zero Trust architecture.

A Judiciary Real-World Success: New Jersey Judiciary

The New Jersey Judiciary (NJJ) faced significant cybersecurity challenges as part of its digital transformation. The court system sought to migrate applications to the cloud securely while addressing the growing threat of shadow IT. Initially considering a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solution, the team pivoted to a Zero Trust framework after recognizing its greater potential.

Their challenges became even more urgent with the onset of the pandemic, which increased the judiciary’s VPN usage from 2,300 to 8,000 users almost overnight. This dramatic surge degraded user experience and amplified VPN-related security risks. Switching to Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)—a key component of the Zero Trust Exchange—removed the need for VPNs entirely.

The result? NJJ achieved seamless, secure access for every user, whether working on-premises or remotely. Today, all judiciary employees use ZPA, benefiting from both a consistent user experience and enhanced layers of security across their hybrid environment.

Building the Future of Justice on Zero Trust

Court systems sit at the heart of society, fulfilling a mission that relies on operational integrity and public confidence. With growing threats from ransomware, phishing, and other forms of cybercrime, moving to a Zero Trust security framework is no longer just optional—it is critical. Zero Trust not only protects the sensitive data within court systems but also ensures access when and where it's needed most, enabling modern courts to deliver justice without compromising security.

To learn more about protecting the judiciary with Zero Trust, download our Solution Brief. Discover how courts like yours are building security resilience while delivering efficient, accessible services in a rapidly changing digital world.