Tag: Colonial Pipeline

Commentary: The World Does Not Run on Magic

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At a recent hearing before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, the CEO of Colonial Pipeline made an admission which illustrates quite well our negligence and improvidence. The company paid out nearly $5 million in blackmail money to an unknown hacker when the pipeline was shut down for several days. That, of course, was bad enough, and most of the man’s testimony had to do with the technicalities of which government agency was notified and when, and what the company’s computer experts did to remedy the situation. 

But there was another piece of his testimony, one that you had to look hard to find in the news reports. He testified that most of the men who could operate the controls on the pipeline have died or retired, so that the 5,500-mile line must rely almost wholly upon computerized systems for its operation. That means, of course, that we are vulnerable to attacks by people who do not have to take a guard at gunpoint, or dig a big hole somewhere that no one will notice.

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Virginia U.S. Rep Spanberger Co-Introduces Bill to Designate Systemically Important Critical Infrastructure

Eric Burk

Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), John Katko (R-NY-24), and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02) co-introduced a bill directing the designation of systemically important critical infrastructure.

“Earlier this year, Central Virginia families and businesses felt the serious impacts of the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline. In our communities, we saw how critical infrastructure — such as the Colonial Pipeline — plays a fundamental role in our daily lives and in the day-to-day success of our regional economy,” Spanberger said in a Thursday press release.

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Virginia Congresswoman Luria Cosponsors Pipeline Security Act

Eric Burk

Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-Virginia-02) is cosponsoring the Pipeline Security Act, which requires the Travel Security Administration (TSA) to update its pipeline security policies, develop a staffing strategy for the Pipeline Security Section, and improve congressional oversight. On Tuesday, the bill reported out of the House Homeland Security Committee.

“Cybersecurity is a dangerous and emerging threat, and the recent attack on the Colonial Pipeline proves we need to do more to protect our vital infrastructure,” Luria said.

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Kemp Extends Suspension of Georgia Gas Tax by a Week

The Center Square
"Sorry out of service" bag covering gas pump

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp extended the state’s temporary suspension of the fuel tax through May 22 as Colonial Pipeline works to become fully operational after a cyberattack.

Kemp issued an executive order Monday that suspended the gas tax, increased weight limits for trucks transporting fuel and prohibited price gouging. The order was set to expire Saturday before Kemp extended it Friday.

“While Colonial Pipeline is now operational, the company has informed the public that it will be a few days until full service is available statewide,” Kemp said in a statement. “This executive order will ensure fuel supply chains have every resource needed to deliver gas quickly and safely, and that Georgians aren’t hit with state gas taxes at the pump during this shortage. I continue to ask Georgians to only purchase the fuel they need for essential travel through the upcoming weekend.”

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The Colonial Pipeline Attack Could Lead to Real Change in Cybersecurity Policy

Eric Burk

Hackers infiltrated the Colonial Pipeline’s systems, held its data hostage for a $5 million ransom, and in the process, triggered local gas shortages across the eastern U.S. In response, politicians began talking about needed reform to protect critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity experts say talk is common around such initiatives, but because of the recent attack’s impact on the everyday lives of Americans, legislators may finally be ready to make real changes.

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Florida Enters State of Emergency Amid Gas Shortage

Peter D'Abrosca

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) Tuesday evening declared a state of emergency and activated the Florida National Guard amid a gas shortage that is wreaking havoc along the eastern seaboard. 

The order, which directs state officials to work with the federal government and loosens restrictions for truckers from out of state to bring gasoline into Florida, is in effect after a group of hackers called DarkSide executed a ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline. 

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Tropical Storm Harvey Hits Tennessee

Wendy Wilson

  Hurricane Harvey barreled into Tennessee Thursday night as a tropical depression, causing road closures, power outages, flash flooding and tornado warnings, reports WSMV Channel 4. According to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), 18,000 people statewide are still without power. Initially, about 40,000 customers were without power. Twenty school systems closed across the state Friday, including Metro Nashville Public Schools. Although there were 20 tornado warnings across West and Middle Tennessee, there have not been any confirmed touchdowns. Some areas around Nashville received as much as 8.88 inches of rain with 24 hours, according to Nashville’s Office of Emergency Management. People living near a part of Whites Creek were asked to voluntarily evacuate. At least 15 homes near Dry Creek in Goodlettsville were also evacuated. There have been no reports of injuries, deaths or missing people, according to the Nashville Fire Department. Some additional bad weather was expected Friday. The Associated Press reported Thursday that a gas pipeline that fuels Tennessee would shut down because of Harvey. Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline said the closure was needed because of storm-related refinery shutdowns and Harvey’s effect on its facilities west of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The pipeline supplies nearly 40 percent of the South’s gasoline. Colonial…

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