Key points
- The Bankruptcy Noticing Center systems are offline while BAE Systems investigates a reported incident.
- Affected services include the National Creditor Registration Service and multiple court notice portals.
- The Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Texas extended stay delays by thirty days for recent cases.
The short version
- UK-based BAE Systems manages the disrupted noticing systems on behalf of the US Federal Judiciary.
- All access to BNC websites and related noticing processes is currently unavailable to users.
- Courts continue to accept filings but face delays in serving notices and orders to parties.
The details
The Administrative Office of the US Courts confirmed that the Bankruptcy Noticing Center systems were pulled offline following a cybersecurity incident. This disruption affects the production and distribution of both electronic and paper bankruptcy notices for federal courts across the United States. According to an announcement published on Thursday, BAE Systems is working to restore operations for the infrastructure it operates on behalf of the judiciary. The outage has rendered several key resources inaccessible, including bnc.uscourts.gov, bankruptcynotices.uscourts.gov, notices.uscourts.gov, and the National Creditor Registration Service.
While the public notice regarding the incident was published on Thursday, technical issues affecting the BNC systems began earlier. The Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Texas stated that the problems started on October 9. This court subsequently issued a general order to manage the operational impact. The order specifies that for any case filed on or after September 14 with an active motion to stay, the associated delay will be extended by an additional thirty days. This extension is a procedural measure to account for the disruption in notice delivery.
The court said it will continue to accept filings, open cases, and process documents despite the outage. However, the entry and service of notices and orders may experience significant delays until the technical issues are fully resolved. BAE Systems did not immediately respond to requests for further information regarding the nature of the incident or the timeline for restoration. The disruption impacts the broader ability of federal bankruptcy courts to communicate case updates to creditors and debtors.
The context
The incident occurs during a period of heightened scrutiny for public sector cybersecurity in the United States. Officials have described the event as a cybersecurity incident, prompting the immediate shutdown of the affected noticing systems. The reliance on a third-party vendor, BAE Systems, for critical judicial infrastructure highlights the interconnected nature of federal digital services. The Federal Judiciary has temporarily halted the noticing process to allow the vendor to investigate and secure the environment. This approach prioritises system integrity over immediate continuity for non-essential communications related to case management.
Defender's checklist
- Monitor official court websites and the Administrative Office of the US Courts for restoration updates.
- Check local bankruptcy court pages for specific general orders regarding case deadlines and stays.
- Verify the status of the National Creditor Registration Service before attempting to update contact details.
- Document any delays in receiving notices to support future filings or motions for relief.
If your data is involved
Individuals involved in bankruptcy cases should verify their contact details directly with their legal representatives or the court clerk if possible. Since electronic notices are halted, do not assume you have received updates; proactively check case status through alternative channels where available.
Be wary of unsolicited emails or calls claiming to resolve notice issues or offering immediate status updates, as attackers often exploit service disruptions to distribute phishing links. Legitimate court communications will not ask for sensitive credentials or payment details via email. Always navigate to official .uscourts.gov domains manually rather than clicking links in suspicious messages.
Background: Phishing
Phishing is a broad, automated attack sent to thousands of recipients using generic templates. Spear phishing targets specific individuals or organisations using researched personal details. The core difference lies in the level of personalisation. You defend against phishing with technical filters and against spear phishing with verification protocols and human awareness.
Read the full guide: Phishing vs Spear Phishing: Targeting Mechanics and Defence
What to do and how to stay safe: BAE Systems
- Check your local federal bankruptcy court’s website for specific orders or alerts regarding the outage.
- Confirm your contact information is current with your attorney or the court clerk to ensure receipt of future notices.
- Scrutinise any unexpected communications claiming to be from the court or BAE Systems for signs of phishing.
- Keep records of all filings and submissions during this period to prove compliance with deadlines.
Step-by-step guide: Security Awareness Training Mistakes That Leave Gaps Open
General security guidance from the Cipher Insider newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Which specific systems are affected by the BAE Systems outage?
The Bankruptcy Noticing Center systems, including bnc.uscourts.gov, bankruptcynotices.uscourts.gov, notices.uscourts.gov, and the National Creditor Registration Service, are unavailable.
When did the disruption to the bankruptcy noticing systems begin?
According to the Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Texas, the issues affecting the systems began on October 9.
Are federal bankruptcy courts still accepting new filings?
Yes, the courts continue to accept filings, open cases, and process documents, though there may be delays in serving notices and orders.
