The Department of Homeland Security implemented cybersecurity requirements for pipelines Thursday following the Colonial Pipeline hack that led to widespread fuel shortages and panic throughout the United States.
DHS, alongside the Transportation Security Administration, will require pipeline owners and operators to report both confirmed and potential security breaches to DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Oil infrastructure executives must “designate a Cybersecurity Coordinator, to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week” and review practices to identify gaps.
Executives have been told to submit cybersecurity reports to CISA and the TSA within 30 days.
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“The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving and we must adapt to address new and emerging threats,” DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. “The recent ransomware attack on a major petroleum pipeline demonstrates that the cybersecurity of pipeline systems is critical to our homeland security. DHS will continue to work closely with our private sector partners to support their operations and increase the resilience of our nation’s critical infrastructure.”
Hackers from the criminal enterprise DarkSide stalled Colonial Pipeline’s operations on May 6, leading to gas shortages throughout the East Coast. Days later, it was revealed that executives paid the gang nearly $5 million in ransom money to regain control of its systems.
The decision to shell out money was the “right” call for the country at the time, said Colonial CEO Joseph Blount on May 19. Blount’s move came despite FBI guidance that advises against paying hackers as “paying a ransom doesn’t guarantee you or your organization will get any data back,” the bureau noted.
“I know that’s a highly controversial decision,” Blount said in his first public remarks since the hack. “I didn’t make it lightly. I will admit that I wasn’t comfortable seeing money go out the door to people like this.”
“But it was the right thing to do for the country,” he added.
As of Monday, several states and the District of Columbia were still reeling from the effects of the drop in fuel availability. Washington, D.C., reported that 55% of its pumps were without gas, South Carolina had a 28% shortage, and North Carolina was experiencing 25% of its stations without fuel, according to GasBuddy.
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Shortages were also noted in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia. More than 6,600 gas stations were without fuel during the crisis.
Supply issues were worse earlier in May, as some states reported over 70% shortages during the peak of the crisis.
Prices have risen since President Joe Biden took office, and U.S. residents are bracing for another dip in availability around Memorial Day weekend as demand is rising.