Learn More About Latest Ransomware Attacks

In May 2021, a ransomware attack executed by DarkSide, a ransomware software created by a shadow group of hackers and cybercriminals, affected a major US pipeline, prompting gas shortages and panic fueling along the East coast.   

Colonial Pipeline Co., a company that operates one of the country’s major pipelines, was the victim. The ransomware attack caused the company to take some of their systems offline, causing the pipeline to stop operations until full and safe restoration of IT systems could be achieved. This was a serious problem, as this 5,500-mile pipeline is responsible for delivering 45% of the gas and jet fuel used by the East coast. Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology called this style of attack “ransomware as a service variant” in which cybercriminals execute the attack and share the proceeds with the developers of the ransomware software. Neuberger called this style of ransomware attack “new and troubling.” 

As a result of the ransomware attack, gas prices increased and panic over gas shortages increased. Colonial Pipeline Co. told customers and government officials that they would work as quickly as possible to bring the pipeline, which was not physically damaged in any way, back online, but there was no assurance on how quickly that would happen given that they had never before had to shut such a massive pipeline down.   

To restore service and mitigate effects of the hack on the East coast and the entire United States, CEO of Colonial Pipeline Co., Joseph Blount, told the Wall Street Journal that he approved the use of $4.4 million to pay the ransom and bring the pipeline back online.  

“I know that’s a highly controversial decision,” Blount said. “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”