Cyberattack Shows Vulnerability of Gas Pipeline Network
Supported by Energy & Environment Cyberattack Shows Vulnerability of Gas Pipeline Network Photo A natural-gas plant in North Dakota operated by Oneok, one of the companies affected by a cyberattack on a data network connecting gas-pipeline operators and their customers. The companies said the attack did not lead to any service interruptions. Credit Jim Wilson/The New York Times HOUSTON — A cyberattack on a shared data network forced four of the nation’s natural-gas pipeline operators to temporarily shut down computer communications with their customers over the past week.
No gas service was interrupted, the companies said, and the interruption of customer transactions was merely a precaution. It was unclear whether any customer data was stolen.
The attack highlighted the potential vulnerability of the nation’s energy system, cyberexperts say. Beyond consumer and business data — energy companies possess much proprietary information about their holdings, trading strategies and explo..