The U.S. government continues to ramp up efforts to improve cybersecurity for the nation's infrastructure following the Colonial Pipeline ransomware incident and President Biden's subsequent executive order.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new Security Directive that will "enable the Department to better identify, protect against, and respond to threats to critical companies in the pipeline sector."
Earlier this month, Colonial Pipeline was forced to temporarily halt operations as it was targeted with ransomware, causing gas shortages across the east coast of the U.S.
Colonial's CEO admitted to paying the ransom, about $4.4 million, just a few hours after learning of the attack. However, company officials refused to admit this to Congress on the same day.
New cybersecurity requirement for pipelines
Even though the DHS provides a significant amount of information and guidance to companies involved with U.S. infrastructure, there are minimal federal government requirements when it comes to basic cybersecurity.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas shared his thoughts on the need for implementing such requirements:
"The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving and we must adapt to address new and emerging threats. 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."
Here are the requirements from the Security Directive:
- "Require critical pipeline owners and operators to report confirmed and potential cybersecurity incidents to the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
- Designate a Cybersecurity Coordinator, to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Require critical pipeline owners and operators to review their current practices as well as to identify any gaps and related remediation measures to address cyber-related risks and report the results to TSA and CISA within 30 days."
The DHS also says it will consider follow-on mandatory measures to further support the pipeline industry in enhancing cybersecurity protocols.
Click here for more information related to the DHS Security Directive.
