In May 2021, **Colonial Pipeline**, a major U.S. fuel pipeline operator, fell victim to a **ransomware attack** by the DarkSide cybercriminal group. The attack forced the company to **halt all pipeline operations**, disrupting fuel supplies across the **Southeastern U.S.**, including states like **Georgia, Alabama, and Texas**. The shutdown led to **gas shortages, panic buying, and price surges**, with over **10,000 gas stations** running dry. Colonial Pipeline paid a **$4.4 million ransom** in cryptocurrency to restore operations, though the FBI later recovered a portion. The incident exposed vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, prompting federal investigations and emergency declarations in multiple states. The attack not only caused **financial losses exceeding $50 million** in operational downtime and recovery but also triggered **regional economic instability**, affecting transportation, logistics, and consumer confidence. The breach underscored the growing threat of cyberattacks on **national energy security** and led to stricter cybersecurity mandates for pipeline operators.
TPRM report: https://www.rankiteo.com/company/colonial-pipeline-company
"id": "col5532755092125",
"linkid": "colonial-pipeline-company",
"type": "Ransomware",
"date": "5/2021",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "6",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the economy of geographical region"{'affected_entities': [{'location': ['Alabama',
'Alaska',
'Arizona',
'Arkansas',
'California',
'Colorado',
'Connecticut',
'Delaware',
'Florida',
'Georgia',
'Hawaii',
'Idaho',
'Illinois',
'Indiana',
'Iowa',
'Kansas',
'Kentucky',
'Louisiana',
'Maine',
'Maryland',
'Massachusetts',
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'Mississippi',
'Missouri',
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'Nebraska',
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'Ohio',
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'Washington D.C.',
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'Puerto Rico',
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'Armed Forces Americas',
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'Northern Mariana Islands',
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'Federated States of Micronesia',
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'Alberta, Canada',
'British Columbia, Canada',
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'Yukon Territory, Canada']}]}