RANSOMWARE HACK SHUTS DOWN COLONIAL PIPELINE.
" Friday's Cyberattack On Colonial Pipeline's Operating System, Causes Shutdown Of Entire East Coast Line."
May 10, 2021 By: Art Fletcher & Leonard Madison, With Kevin Peterson Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News
On Friday May 7th system operators at Colonial Pipeline Company learned they were a victim of a cybersecurity attack. Company officials determined the incident involved ransomware.
In a press release on Saturday May 8th company officials stated, In response to the attack, we proactively took certain systems offline to contain the threat, which has temporarily halted all pipeline operations, and affected some of our IT systems. Upon learning of the issue, a leading, third-party cybersecurity firm was engaged, and they launched an investigation into the nature and scope of this incident, which is ongoing. We have contacted law enforcement and other federal agencies.
Colonial Pipeline Company operates and maintains roughly 5,500 miles of pipeline, originating in Houston Texas and terminating in the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The pipeline accounts for around 45% of the supply of gasoline, home heating oil and jet fuel on the east coast.
In a press statement on Sunday May 9th officials stated, We have remained in contact with law enforcement and other federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, who is leading the Federal Government Response.
At this time, our primary focus continues to be the safe and efficient restoration of service to our pipeline system, while minimizing disruption to our customers and all those who rely on Colonial Pipeline. We appreciate the support we have received from others throughout the industry.
Although, Company officials and economic forecasters have stated that fuel prices should not be affected, today there was a knee-jerk reaction to the shutdown as fuel price increased slightly.
While this situation remains fluid and continues to evolve, the Colonial operations team is executing a plan that involves an incremental process that will facilitate a return to service in a phased approach. This plan is based on a number of factors with safety and compliance driving our operational decisions, with the goal of substantially restoring operational service by the end of the week.
As in the above updated press release, Colonial officials are aiming to restore service by week's end. Hopefully they will be able to meet their goal, the fear of an increase in fuel prices will be inevitable if present disruption continues into the next week.
FILED UNDER: MAY 10, 2021: Cyber Colonial Disruption.