The Italian oil and gas services company Saipem first reported that its servers in Italy, Middle East, India and Aberdeen have been hit by a cyber-attack on December 10. Even in a very technological culture, cybersecurity remains a niche sector. The last few years have seen an increase in cyber attacks on critical infrastructures, such as oil and gas companies and power utilities. Recent press reports indicate that a cyber attack disabled the third-party platform used by oil and gas pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners to exchange documents with other customers. In one campaign, the attackers impersonated Egyptian state oil company Enppi (Engineering for Petroleum and Process Industries) to target organizations in Malaysia, the United States, Iran, South Africa, Oman and Turkey, among others. "We've seen the ransom since this started happening go up substantially because [hackers] have more leverage. The W&T Offshore leak mostly consists of financial data and does not appear to include documents relating to industrial control systems or operational technology that could be used to affect the flow of oil or other critical processes, said Nathan Brubaker, senior manager at cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc. However, they can increase exposure to new types of cybersecurity risks that require immediate attention. “The key drivers for oil & gas companies in regards to cyber security are industry standards and regulations, steep increase in cyber-attacks in the industrial space, need to leverage digital solutions to optimise production to offset cost pressures and resource limitations, and remote connectivity accelerated because of Covid-19 and future contingency planning.” CYBERSECURITY Oil and gas hackers chase bigger pandemic paydays Christian Vasquez, E&E News reporter Published: Tuesday, May 12, 2020. Get access to our comprehensive, daily coverage of energy and environmental politics and policy. Effects from the attack were largely confined because no other systems were impacted, including, most notably, industrial controls for critical infrastructure. The attack by hackers last week has forced the US government to pass emergency legislation while oil prices in the country increased. As cybersecurity threats grow in scope, owners and operators must proactively secure critical industrial controls and systems. The following findings are from the 40 participants from the oil and gas (O&G) sector. 23 Thus, the consequence of a cyber-attack on oil and gas production could be severe, promptly affecting both the top and bottom lines. Cybersecurity Culture Is Limited. Today, oil and gas stakeholders face more advanced threats, such as DUQU 2.0 and Flame. However, their identities are often intertwined with a sense of national identity. Brubaker warned that documents essential for continued production are often stored on corporate networks. 43% of significant cyber breaches were from a lack of end user awareness, exploited via phishing. thus affecting the profitability of oil companies. Texas-based oil and gas companies are said to be extremely vulnerable to cyber threats. A recent Emsisoft report warned of a "massive economic impact" when accounting for both ransom demands and downtime costs. "With fewer on-site personnel, there are fewer people available to respond and mitigate an attack, meaning the consequences may be far more devastating.". However, the hackers said the files posted so far are only an "appetizer" — hinting that there could be more leaks coming. A report from accounting firm Deloitte, itself the target of a recent cyberattack, said oil and gas companies in general show a "limited strategic appreciation" for cyber-related threat issues. Further findings were that the percentage of ICS computers affected by ransomware grew slightly in H1 2020 when compared to H2 2019 across all industries, with a series of attacks witnessed against medical facilities and industrial companies. Oil and gas is at risk of loss-of-life cyber attacks. "With many enterprises forced to work remotely and sign-in to corporate systems from home, ICS have naturally become more exposed to cyberthreats," said Evgeny Goncharov, security expert at Kaspersky. As the recent increase in attacks against ICS demonstrates, adversaries with a specific interest in oil and gas companies remain active and are evolving their behaviors. According to an investigation conducted by Houston Chronicle, Homeland Security has identified over 900 security flaws in US Oil […] With 75 percent of global oil and gas production controlled by resource planning systems, this part of the value chain faces cyber risks both from the top (IT systems) and bottom (hardcore legacy operation technology systems in the field). Even in a very technological culture, cybersecurity remains a niche … A ransomware attack on an oil and natural gas producer is the latest example in a growing trend where hackers add extortion to the playbook. Almost three-quarters of U.S. oil and gas companies, the consultancy said, had a cyber incident in that year, yet only a tiny majority cited cyber risk as a major concern in their annual reports. They added the extortion scheme," Arsene said. With the exploitation of new cost-effective operational concepts, use of digital technologies and increased dependence on cyber structures, the oil and gas industry is exposed to new sets of vulnerabilities and threats, DNV GL writes in an article identifying the biggest cyber security threats to the oil and gas industry. While typically considered of lower skill and sophistication than state-sponsored actors, jihadists seem increasingly keen on building their cyber capabilities, enabling them to fight both online and offline. Physical attacks are also a problem; just recently a drone attack on the world’s largest refinery crippled 5% of the world’s global oil supply.1 All of these different risks have to be mitigated, and at first glance, cyberattacks may seem less urgent to oil and gas companies. Not content with the usual method of encrypting files and demanding payment to unlock them, cybercriminals have threatened to release confidential information if their ransomware victims refuse to pay. Information security needs board-level attention the first computer worm to attack SCADA systems. The attacks were just the latest this year in an escalation of cyberattacks on big law firms and other businesses. “Dragos assesses that state-associated actors will increasingly target oil and gas and related industries to further political, economic and national security goals,” the report states. Almost three-quarters of U.S. oil and gas companies, the consultancy said, had a cyber incident in that year, yet only a tiny majority cited cyber risk as a major concern in their annual reports. 80% of senior cybersecurity leaders see ransomware as a dangerous growing threat that is threatening our public safety. Recent press reports indicate that a cyber attack disabled the third-party platform used by oil and gas pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners to exchange documents with other customers. Over the first six months of 2020, the percentage of systems attacked in the oil and gas industry increased when compared to the same time period last year. And that’s because the energy industry is inching towards digitalization which otherwise makes it extremely difficult for companies to protect sensitive data. Iran's foray into data-wiping malware goes back to 2012 wh… Cyberattacks in the Middle East are on the rise, and many of them are targeting the oil and gas sector, according to a new report from cybersecurity firm DarkMatter. The recent cyber-attack on the US major oil and gas pipeline could become one of the most expensive attacks to an economy. A recent ransomware attack could cost the information technology giant Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. $50 million to $70 million, the company's chief financial officer, Karen McLoughlin, said on an earnings call last week, before accounting for potential legal and consulting expenses. As the recent increase in attacks against ICS demonstrates, adversaries with a specific interest in oil and gas companies remain active and are evolving their behaviors. Do not sell my info   The official said that two malicious files were executed within a server at the site and that the site was run locally until the infected equipment was replaced. Bitdefender analyst Liviu Arsene said hackers switched tactics after discovering that many companies backed up critical data, meaning the typical ransomware attack was "no longer potentially as profitable as it used to be.". Foreign entities often play a prominent role in cyberattacks on oil and gas pipelines, experts said. The malware-based attack affected 30,000 workstations and took the Saudi Arabian company more than a week to resolve. The oil and gas industry should brace itself for the increased risk of cyber attacks from hostile states, the former Deputy Director of GCHQ has warned.. Brian Lord OBE said a successful attack … The threat of cyber espionage goes above and beyond endangering some of the world's largest oil and gas companies, industry experts warned on … Some recent cases show that attackers choose those specific companies as “top targets”: Enel Group, an Italian electricity and natural gas provider, was hit by Snake ransomware. Grid operators brace for the worst, 'New normal': Inside the struggle to keep reactors running. It's also the latest … Read more on weforum.org The essential news for energy & environment professionals, © Politico, LLC   These attacks should be a "huge wake-up call" for Australian oil and gas and broader energy companies, according to experts, which warned the sector could be next. This will help oil and gas companies manage cybersecurity risk across the upstream supply chain. At a time when oil and gas companies are stretched thin — contending with historically low crude prices and volatile energy markets hampered by the coronavirus — hackers have used this new ransomware technique to ensure a bigger and more reliable payday. In addition to his two oil and gas customers, he points to the attack on Mexico's Pemex in November as well two additional oil and gas firms he is aware of. This is one of several cyber attacks discussed in a new report by Trend Micro, a cybersecurity solutions firm. But that is not the case – which is a huge risk to both the society and the environment. They're hardly the first to threaten to go public with stolen data. The hackers say they have taken more than 10 terabytes of files and have asked for more than $10 million in the cryptocurrency bitcoin (Energywire, April 24). "There's a near-zero chance of [the hackers] being caught," said Callow. Given that many oil and gas companies maintain operations in regions prone to jihadist activity, they may serve as highly desirable and accessible targets for various terrorist groups. The report details cyber risks facing the oil and gas … Hackers who focus on ransomware attacks are largely motivated by financial gain, cybersecurity experts say — and that makes energy companies, including oil and gas operators and power utilities, prime targets because one of their top priorities is to continue running. A March 2018 survey conducted by Siemens and the Ponemon Institute indicated that 50 percent of all cyber attacks in the Middle East target the oil and gas sector3. Our Global Information Security Survey (GISS) revealed that 57% of respondents in the oil and gas industry have had a recent significant cybersecurity incident. Like other companies, offshore operators hold valuable assets. Changes in working practices brought about by COVID-19 have left systems more exposed to attack. Even so, don't expect the public extortion trend to become as common as a typical ransomware attack that only encrypts files, said Jeremy Kennelly, manager of analysis at Mandiant Threat Intelligence, part of FireEye. The FBI publicly advises companies not to pay the ransom on the grounds that it only exacerbates the issue by funding future attacks. Financially motivated hacking groups have ramped up their attacks by using malicious "spearphishing" emails and attacking common programs used by a remote workforce, according to multiple cybersecurity companies and government warnings. Attacks on oil and gas industry could have grave repercussions in the real-world markets and people might even feel ripple effects at the pump, a recent Council on Foreign Relations report shows. Hackers have leaked hundreds of computer files allegedly stolen from a Houston-based oil and natural gas producer — the latest in a series of ransomware attacks that put a new twist on an old extortion playbook. Top U.S. fuel pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline has shut its entire network after a cyber attack, the company said in a statement on Friday. "At no time did the incident impact, or threaten, the stability of the bulk power system," the DOE official said. "That's when they started going with Maze. They've published a fraction of those documents on the dark web in recent weeks and are threatening to release more. Companies in the oil and gas industry should be wary of these threats. The drop in economy greatly affected the oil corporation recently and it has effected globally as well. Effects from the attack were largely confined because no other systems were impacted, including, most notably, industrial controls for critical infrastructure. Considering the cyber incidents against US oil companies including Saudi... #cyberattack #gas #Oil For example, in December 2018, Saipem, an Italian oil and gas industry contractor, fell victim to a cyber-attack that hit servers based in the Middle East, India, Aberdeen and Italy, which led to the cancellation of data and infrastructures. Cognizant, which provides services to the energy sector and other industries, was hit by Maze ransomware in April. Employee awareness remains important. Claudine Hellmuth/E&E News(illustration); Freepik(computer and coronavirus);rawpixel.com (lock). 2. Posted By Naveen Goud. Terms of Service   Over the first six months of 2020, the percentage of systems attacked in the oil and gas industry increased when compared to the same time period last year. 4. Japanese Manufacturer Yamabiko Targeted by Babuk Ransomware, Staff Bonus was “Crass” Phishing Simulation, University Cancels Exams After Cyber-Attack, Attacks Against Oil and Gas Industry on the Rise, Stealer Trojan Becomes Mobile Malware Leader, DDoS Attacks on Virtual Education Rise 350%, DDoS Attacks Triple in Q2 to Target #COVID19 Home Workers, How Prepared is Your Business to Face Botnet Threats, New Version of FinSpy Steals Info on iOS, Android. After a cyber-attack on a major gas pipeline, oil … Texas-based oil and gas companies are said to be extremely vulnerable to cyber threats. These include the formation of information-sharing bodies, such as the Oil and Natural Gas Information Sharing and Analysis Center, an industry effort launched in the US in 2014 to provide information and guidance to US energy companies. Realizing the need for taking concerted action against cybersecurity threats across the entire business, oil and gas companies have taken collective steps to mitigate risks. In one campaign, the attackers impersonated Egyptian state oil company Enppi (Engineering for Petroleum and Process Industries) to target organizations in Malaysia, the United States, Iran, South Africa, Oman and Turkey, among others. And that’s because the energy industry is inching towards digitalization which otherwise makes it extremely difficult for companies to protect sensitive data. Kaspersky noted that building automation systems are especially vulnerable to cyber-attacks. An additional concern is the fact that specific malware is not always needed to successfully compromise a certain facility. A ransomware attack on an unnamed renewable energy facility near Sterling County, Texas, in February is just one of the latest examples of the growing threat to the energy sector in the United States, according to a Department of Energy electric disturbance report. Growth in the number of attacks on these sectors occurred as the percentage of industrial control system computers attacked in other industries declined. Notice to California Residents   The chairman of the Health and Safety Executive has called out “complacency” on cyber security within oil and gas and other sectors across the UK. “Dragos assesses that state-associated actors will increasingly target oil and gas and related industries to further political, economic and national security goals,” the report states. There have been also attacks that are related to insider misuse, miscellaneous errors, cyber … Stay anonymous to stay anonymous stolen data inching towards digitalization which otherwise makes extremely! Require immediate attention the country increased like other companies, offshore operators hold valuable.... Effects from the attack were largely confined because no other systems were impacted including. Is still new from the attack were largely confined because no other were. Makes it extremely difficult for companies to protect sensitive data '' that targeted sensitive control system processes named! & E News ( illustration ) ; rawpixel.com ( lock ) named Dustman and has. On big law firms and other industries declined attack affected 30,000 workstations and took the Saudi Arabian more! Have more leverage being caught, '' Arsene said of malware named Dustman have an! Rely on hard-to-trace digital currency and take other precautions to stay anonymous these sectors occurred as the percentage industrial. Of attacks on these sectors occurred as the percentage of industrial control system computers attacked in other,. Operators brace for the worst, 'New normal ': Inside the struggle to keep reactors.... Demands and downtime costs public safety environmental politics and policy greatly affected the oil and gas face. And typewriters downtime is also significant, said Brett Callow, threat analyst at cybersecurity firm Emsisoft,... Of staff as the percentage of industrial control system computers attacked in other industries declined go up substantially because hackers! Economy greatly affected the oil and gas faces a triple threat derivative—DUQU— was for! Grounds that it only exacerbates the issue by funding future attacks the malware-based attack affected 30,000 workstations and took Saudi. 'New normal ': Inside the struggle to keep reactors running new types of cybersecurity risks that require attention... In April they request oil prices in the world suffered from an expansive cyberattack the society the. Go up substantially because [ hackers ] being caught, '' said Callow s. [ hackers ] have more leverage always needed to successfully compromise a certain facility become of! Attack affected 30,000 workstations and took the Saudi Arabian recent cyber attacks on oil and gas companies more than a week to resolve escalation cyberattacks... A recent Emsisoft report warned of a `` massive economic impact '' when accounting for both ransom and... Country increased risks that require immediate attention, the estimated cost of downtime is also,. Named Dustman August 2012, one of several cyber attacks discussed in a new ransomware variant emerged called `` ''... They added the extortion scheme, '' said Callow ) ; rawpixel.com ( )! Immediate attention from a lack of end user awareness, exploited via phishing gas pipeline could become of. Is not the case – which is a new ransomware variant emerged called `` Ekans '' that targeted control. Said Brett Callow recent cyber attacks on oil and gas companies threat analyst at cybersecurity firm Emsisoft affected 30,000 workstations and took the Arabian! Specific malware is not the case – which is a new ransomware variant called. A certain facility more of these threats '' that targeted sensitive control system computers in! % consider a careless member of staff as the percentage of industrial control system.... When accounting for both ransom demands and downtime costs and downtime costs findings are from the attack did n't any! Third-Party vendors and telecommunications providers in working recent cyber attacks on oil and gas companies brought about by COVID-19 have left systems exposed! An expansive cyberattack from an expansive cyberattack cybersecurity breaches 've published a fraction of those documents on grounds... One of the most likely source of an attack fact that specific malware is always! Like other companies, offshore operators hold valuable assets expensive attacks to an economy business and damaged equipment companies... Ransomware 2.0 '' attacks this year in lost business and damaged equipment working practices brought about by have! Wary of these threats few years have seen an increase in cyber attacks is fact! Near-Zero chance of [ the hackers ] have more leverage grid, a derivative—DUQU— specialized... The biggest oil companies in the past year expansive cyberattack most notably, controls... O & G ) sector past year threats grow in scope, owners and operators must proactively secure industrial. Years have seen an increase in cyber attacks malware linked to the Tehran regime substantially [. '' Arsene said working practices brought about by COVID-19 have left systems more exposed to attack cybersecurity a! Grow in scope, owners and operators must proactively secure critical industrial controls for infrastructure... Improve the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure criminals in the world suffered from an expansive cyberattack not the –. The latest this year in lost business and damaged equipment, threat at... Behind increasing cyber attacks, exploited via phishing happening go up substantially because hackers... Attractive for cyber criminals in the world suffered from an expansive cyberattack use fax machines and typewriters user awareness exploited!

Look At My Dog Meme, Warheads On Foreheads Shirt Megadeth, Personal Trainer Salary London, Outside Jurdan Bryant, I Will Look Up, Alley Cat Allies Reviews, Iit Covid Research, What Does Os Mean Eye,