Tuesday, May 18, 2021
One of the nation’s largest pipelines, Colonial Pipeline, which carries 45 percent of the East Coast’s fuel supplies, was forced to shut down on May 7 after it was targeted by a ransomware attack. Ransomware is a type of malware where criminal groups encrypt data, effectively “holding it hostage,” until the victim pays a ransom.
Colonial Pipeline resumed operations on May 15. However, the cyberattack has sparked public panic and outcry as parts of the country experience fuel shortages and fuel prices rise to their highest levels in nearly seven years. The incident has also renewed efforts government-wide to strengthen security of U.S. pipelines and the power grid. On May 11, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce reintroduced bipartisan legislation aimed at bolstering the Department of Energy’s (“DOE”) ability to respond to cybersecurity threats to U.S. energy infrastructure. Among the several measures introduced were:
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Colonial Pipeline shut down 5,500 miles of its East Coast pipeline on May 7, 2021, in an effort to contain a security breach resulting from a ransomware attack. Colonial’s pipeline is one of the nation’s largest and carries refined gasoline and jet fuel from Texas up the East Coast to New York. This represents nearly 45% of the fuel consumed on the East Coast. Ransomware attacks have increased in recent years, affecting many industries from banks, universities, and cities. Generally, a ransomware attack is a coordinated effort by computer hackers to lock up and freeze computer systems in order to demand large sums of money to then free up the computer systems. The recent cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline has resulted in gas shortages and panic buying across the southeastern United States, and highlights concerns over the security of critical infrastructure.
Government Races to Secure Critical Infrastructure in Wake of Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack | Pierce Atwood LLP jdsupra.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jdsupra.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Among those, the Pipeline and LNG Facility Cybersecurity Preparedness Act, sponsored by Fred Upton, Republican-Michigan, and Bobby Rush, Democrat-Illinois, would require DOE to carry out a program to coordinate federal agencies, states, and the energy sector to ensure the security, resiliency and survivability of natural gas pipeline, hazardous liquid pipelines and LNG facilities.
And the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, also reintroduced May 11, would help elevate energy and cybersecurity responsibilities as a core function at DOE. Lead sponsors are Representative Bobby Rush, Democrat-Illinois, and Tim Walberg, Republican-Michigan.
The committee highlighted two other recently introduced bills, aimed at encouraging public-private sector partnerships bolster cyber security of electric utilities.