International Criminal Court (ICC) confirms cyberattack, launches investigation

The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday that it is investigating a “sophisticated and targeted” cyberattack that struck its systems last week, marking the second known incident of its kind in recent years against the Hague-based tribunal.

According to a statement released by the ICC, the cybersecurity breach was swiftly detected and contained through internal monitoring and alert mechanisms designed to counter digital threats. The Court is currently conducting a comprehensive impact analysis and has initiated measures to mitigate any potential fallout from the attack.

“This incident, the second of this type against the ICC in recent years, was swiftly discovered, confirmed and contained, through the Court’s alert and response mechanisms,” the ICC said. “A Court-wide impact analysis is being carried out, and steps are already being taken to mitigate any effects of the incident.”

The ICC emphasized its commitment to transparency, stating it was essential to inform the public and its member states about such cyber threats, while also appealing for continued support in strengthening its cybersecurity posture.

As of now, the ICC has not disclosed details regarding the nature or origin of the attack, nor has it confirmed whether any data was accessed or stolen. Spokesperson Fadi El-Abdallah declined to provide further information when asked, referring inquiries to the official press release.

The incident follows a previous cyberattack disclosed in September 2023, which the ICC later described as a targeted act of cyber espionage. In that case, the Court found evidence suggesting the breach aimed to undermine its operations, though no specific threat actor was publicly identified and the extent of any data compromise remained unclear.

That 2023 breach occurred amid what the ICC described as "heightened security concerns," including ongoing digital intrusions and a near-successful attempt to plant a hostile intelligence operative within the Court under the pretense of an internship.

The ICC, established in 2002, is responsible for prosecuting individuals accused of grave international crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Its high-profile cases and politically sensitive investigations have made it a target for both physical and cyber threats. In recent years, the Court has drawn global attention with actions such as issuing arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2023 over alleged crimes in Ukraine, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November related to the conflict in Palestine.