Colonial Pipeline ended up having to shut down its entire network. Colonial is the top US fuel pipeline operator. Almost half of the U.S. East Coast relies on this system for its fuel supply.

This hacking operation was one of the most serious digital ransomware operations that has ever been reported. The situation has shined a light on just how vulnerable U.S. energy infrastructure is to hackers. If this pipeline gets shut down for too long, it could cause prices to spike at the pump.

This is as close as you can get to the jugular of infrastructure in the United States It’s not a major pipeline. It’s the pipeline.

Amy Myers – Climate Policy Lab.

This pipeline carries 2.5 million barrels of gasoline and other fuels per through 5,500 miles of pipelines that link refiners on the Gulf Coast to the southern and eastern United States. Also, this infrastructure serves some of the United State’s largest airports, including Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson Airport, the world’s busiest by passenger traffic.

The company voluntarily shut down its operations when it discovered the attack on Friday.

Colonial Pipeline is taking steps to understand and resolve this issue. At this time, our primary focus is the safe and efficient restoration of our service and our efforts to return to normal operation.

Colonial Pipeline

Also: Hackers Compromised Websites to Target Users on iOS

Joseph Everett