(LibertySociety.com) – The Colonial Pipeline attack in May led to widespread gas shortages across the South and the East. The ransomware attack exposed cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the system for the largest pipeline in the country. As a result, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is now getting more involved in monitoring America’s pipelines.
The TSA reportedly issued a directive to strengthen security for the pipelines. The agency now requires pipeline companies to notify the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the event of a security breach. Pipeline owners also have 30 days to audit their existing security protocols, and they must designate someone available on call 24/7 to work with CISA and TSA if an attack does occur.
IDENTIFY. PROTECT. RESPOND.@DHSgov announces a new Security Directive that will enable DHS, CISA, and @TSA to better identify, protect against, and respond to #cybersecurity threats to critical companies in the #pipeline sector.
Learn more: https://t.co/vBo0HNwalE
— Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (@CISAgov) May 27, 2021
According to a May 30 Washington Post report, the TSA and pipeline owners talked about scheduling a cybersecurity review in the year leading up to the Colonial attack, but it never happened. The attack made the issue a top priority, which led to the new directive. The agency hopes to be able to prevent future attacks, but if one does occur, having updated security protocols in place should help companies and government agencies respond more quickly.
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