The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed that it was the target of a sophisticated cyber attack last week — the second such incident in just two years. The latest breach comes at a time of heightened political sensitivity, with the ICC handling high-profile cases and facing backlash from several powerful states.
In a public statement, the Hague-based court described the breach as a “targeted and sophisticated cybersecurity incident.” While technical details remain limited, the ICC said its internal systems successfully detected the intrusion early, allowing the threat to be quickly contained.
Cyber Threat Hits ICC as Tensions Mount
The ICC’s response team initiated a court-wide impact analysis and has already begun taking steps to mitigate any potential fallout. Officials emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that “the Court considers it essential to inform the public and its States Parties about such incidents,” while calling for continued support in facing future cybersecurity threats.
The timing of the attack raises concern. It occurred just days before a NATO summit in The Hague, attended by global leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, and amid the court’s ongoing investigations into Russian President Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hamas military commander Ibrahim ‘Deif’ Al-Masri.
These politically charged cases have placed the ICC under international scrutiny — and may have made it a more likely target for cyber-espionage.
A Repeat Pattern of Targeted Intrusions
This isn’t the ICC’s first brush with a major cyber threat. In 2023, the court was hit by another targeted cyber attack, which forced it to disconnect from the internet for several weeks. That earlier breach was also described as an act of espionage, possibly aimed at undermining the court’s credibility and disrupting its operations.
However, the court never publicly named the threat actors behind that attack. The new breach, while reportedly detected and contained faster, follows a clear pattern of cyber activity targeting the ICC’s sensitive systems.
The situation is further complicated by the political climate. In early June, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on four ICC judges, in direct response to the court’s probe into U.S. actions in Afghanistan and its issuance of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense chief Yoav Gallant.
Ongoing Security Challenges for Global Justice Institutions
With its mandate to hold global leaders accountable for war crimes, the ICC is increasingly becoming a target for sophisticated cyber operations, likely backed by state or state-aligned actors. As the court continues to press forward with sensitive investigations, its digital infrastructure is facing mounting risks.
While the full scope of the latest ICC cyber attack remains unclear, the incident underscores how cybersecurity has become a frontline issue for international justice systems. For the ICC, strengthening defenses will be essential — not just to protect its data, but to preserve its role in a world of rising geopolitical cyber threats.
