Colonial is the largest pipeline operator in the United States by volume.
Washington:
The US government declared a regional emergency Sunday as the largest fuel pipeline system in the United States remained largely shut down, two days after a major ransomware attack was detected.
The Colonial Pipeline Company ships gasoline and jet fuel from the Gulf Coast of Texas to the populous East Coast through 5,500 miles (8,850 kilometers) of pipeline, serving 50 million consumers.
The company said it was the victim of a cybersecurity attack involving ransomware attacks that encrypt computer systems and seek to extract payments from operators. This Declaration addresses the emergency conditions creating a need for immediate transportation of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products and provides necessary relief, the Department of Transportation said in a statement.
The shutdown has raised fears of a price spike at gasoline pumps.
Colonial transports 2.5 million barrels per day of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined products.
Colonial said it shut down systems to contain the threat after learning of the attack on Friday.
NEW YORK (Reuters) -Top US fuel pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline has shut its entire network, the source of nearly half of the U.S. East Coast`s fuel supply, after a cyber attack that the company said was caused by ransomware.
The incident is one of the most disruptive digital ransom operations ever reported and has drawn attention to how critical U.S. energy infrastructure is vulnerable to hackers. The shutdown has raised fears of a price spike at gasoline pumps ahead of peak summer driving season if it persists.
Major US pipeline shut by cyber attack
10 May, 2021 12:00 AM
WASHINGTON: The largest fuel pipeline system in the United States was forced to shut down its entire network after a ransomware attack, the operating company said in a statement on Saturday, reports AFP.
The Colonial Pipeline Company ships gasoline and jet fuel from the Gulf Coast of Texas to the populous East Coast through 5,500 miles (8,850 kilometers) of pipeline, serving 50 million consumers.
It said it had been “the victim of a cybersecurity attack” which involved ransomware attacks that encrypt computer systems and seek to extract payments from operators.
“In response, we proactively took certain systems offline to contain the threat, which has temporarily halted all pipeline operations, and affected some of our IT systems,” it said.