The operator of a large oil pipeline that stretches from Texas to New York shut down its operations Friday after a cyberattack hit its systems.
The attack on Colonial Pipeline involved ransomware, a kind of malware that threatens a victim’s data unless a ransom is paid, the company announced in an updated statement Saturday.
“On May 7, the Colonial Pipeline Company learned it was the victim of a cybersecurity attack. We have since determined that this incident involves ransomware,” the company said. “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.”
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“Upon learning of the issue, a leading, third-party cybersecurity firm was engaged, and they have launched an investigation into the nature and scope of this incident, which is ongoing,” the statement continued. “We have contacted law enforcement and other federal agencies.”
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Colonial Pipeline’s 5,500 miles of pipelines are responsible for transporting 45% of the East Coast’s fuel supply, and it moves 2.5 million barrels of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined products daily, the company said.
