Cyber attackers associated with U.S. pipeline breach originally from Russia but Biden says there is "no evidence" of Russian involvement
The Colonial Pipeline supplies almost half of the gasoline, diesel and other fuels used on the East Coast according to the Washington Post. It was compromised in a cyber attack. Here is how this security breach may affect you....
(The Slice): A major US fuel pipeline that stretches across several states has been shut down after a ransomware cyber attack last Friday.
The bad actors who targeted the Colonial Pipeline are connected to an Eastern European gang called the Darkside, Homeland Security officials said in the WH press briefing on Monday, while Russia is in question. The ransom ware breach is not expected to immediately stall fuel supply or raise gas prices since it was an attack on information systems -- not equipment. The Darkside originated in Russia.
“The pipeline is the most important for U.S. oil markets, given its size, but I would guess that prices won’t be affected enough to deter people’s summer vacation plans,” said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research.
Although it is a relief for fuel availability, the incident reflects vulnerability in U.S. cyber security.
PRES. Joe Biden, asked if he believes that Russian leader Vladmir Putin is involved in the attack, said there was evidence the ransomware was in Russia but no evidence yet of state involvement.
Officials say the pipeline should be up and running again at the end of this week.
Meanwhile, nervous drivers are crowding gas stations to fill up their tanks throughout the Southeast.