Cyberattack Forces Shutdown Of Largest Gasoline Pipeline In United States; Cyberattack On Key Pipeline Sends Message That U.S. Infrastructure is ‘vulnerable,’, and related stories

Cyberattack Forces Shutdown Of Largest Gasoline Pipeline In United States:

The largest gasoline pipeline on the East Coast, and the US in general, was shut down on Friday after its operator struggled to contain a cyberattack which threatened its systems. The 5,500-mile Colonial Pipeline, which is the single largest refined-products pipeline in the United States, halted transit as the company was forced to take “certain systems offline to contain the threat, which has temporarily halted all pipeline operations,” according to The Wall Street Journal on Saturday. It’s reportedly still offline into early Saturday.

Colonial’s network is responsible for supplying fuel that originates with refiners on the Gulf Coast to most of the eastern and southern US, accounting for over 2.5 million barrels per day in gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, or other refined products transferred, making up 45% of all the East Coast’s fuel supply. It spans from Texas through southern states and up to New Jersey.

“At this time, our primary focus is the safe and efficient restoration of our service and our efforts to return to normal operation,” the Alpharetta, Georgia-based company stated. “This process is already underway, and we are working diligently to address this matter and to minimize disruption to our customers.” —>READ MORE HERE

Cyberattack on key pipeline sends message that U.S. infrastructure is ‘vulnerable,’ cybersecurity expert says:

The Colonial Pipeline, the principal transporter of gasoline and diesel fuel up and down the East Coast of the United States, was temporarily shut down on Friday after its operator, Colonial Pipeline Co., learned it was the victim of a cyberattack.

The attack reportedly involved ransomware and appeared to be limited to information systems, as opposed to operational control systems, but the investigation is still in the early stages. Subsequently, there’s no clear sense of who the perpetrator was.

Analysts don’t expect the stoppage to negatively affect fuel markets or cause any shortages, so long as it only lasts for a day or two… —>READ MORE HERE

follow links below to related stories:

Report: DarkSide Hackers Committed ‘Double Extortion,’ Stealing Data

Cyberattack on pipeline spotlights holes in U.S. energy security

Cyberattack Forces a Shutdown of a Major U.S. Pipeline Operator

U.S. Pipeline Cyberattack Forces Closure

Source