Colonial Pipeline discloses data breach after May ransomware attack

Colonial Pipeline discloses a data breach of the personal information of thousands of individuals after the ransomware attack that took place in May 2021.

Colonial Pipeline has started notifying more than 5000 people that had their personal information compromised after a ransomware attack that took place in May.

The Colonial Pipeline facility in Pelham, Alabama was hit by a cybersecurity attack, its operators were forced to shut down its systems. The pipeline allows carrying 2.5 million barrels of refined gasoline and jet fuel each day up the East Coast from Texas to New York, it covers 45 percent of the East Coast’s fuel supplies.

Source WSJ

The attack was orchestrated by the Darkside ransomware operators, the facility paid a $5 million ransom to recover stolen information. Most of the money was recovered, the US announced in June.

Colonial Pipeline sent out a notification letter to the Maine Attorney General’s Office, saying that 5,810 people was impacted in the attack

“On May 6, 2021, an unauthorized third party acquired certain records stored in our systems,” states the letter. “Total number of persons affected (including residents): 5,810”

Exposed data includes names, birth dates, contact information, driver’s license information, Social Security numbers, government-issued ID (such as military ID and tax ID), and health-related information (including health insurance information).

The company added that not all of this information was affected for each impacted individual.

“We encourage you to remain vigilant by reviewing your account statements and monitoring your free credit reports. In addition, we have arranged to offer you identity restoration and credit monitoring services for two
years at no cost to you.” concludes the letter.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, data breach)