Songyugwancheok "Normal Operation Expected Until Weekend"
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the hackers responsible for the shutdown of the oil pipeline operations are believed to be in Russia. He emphasized the need for international cooperation to defend against ransomware and other cyberattacks and promised proactive federal government measures to prevent fuel supply shortages.
President Biden made these remarks during a speech at the White House on the 10th (local time).
President Biden said, "There is no evidence that the Russian government was involved in this pipeline hacking, but the hackers who carried out the attack appear to be located in Russia."
He also stressed the necessity of international efforts to respond to ransomware attacks, stating, "We must protect critical infrastructure."
On the same day, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed that the hacking group DarkSide was behind this ransomware attack.
Elizabeth Randel, White House Homeland Security Advisor, is briefing on the pipeline hacking incident. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]
U.S. authorities announced that although there are currently issues with fuel supply, they are preparing for the possibility of a supply disruption. Measures such as transferring fuel from other regions to the fuel-short eastern areas are expected.
Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, White House Homeland Security Advisor, said during a White House briefing, "There is currently no fuel shortage, but we are preparing for multiple emergencies. We are considering necessary measures to prevent supply disruptions." She also mentioned that U.S. authorities are analyzing the impact of a potential fuel supply disruption on oil prices.
Meanwhile, Colonial Pipeline expects to restore the entire pipeline by the weekend after the shutdown.
Colonial Pipeline supplies 45% of the fuel products consumed in the U.S. East Coast through its 5,500-mile pipeline running from Texas to New Jersey. On the 7th, Colonial Pipeline halted operations after a ransomware hacking attack that blocked computer usage and demanded ransom.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
