Gasoline piped into Arizona comes from the west and east via Kinder Morgan, which calls itself the biggest independent mover of petroleum products on the continent.
Homeland Security officials say the Texas-based company, and others like it, must now report to the feds all suspected and actual cyberattacks against them.
New Homeland Security requirements say pipeline operators and owners also have to pick a cybersecurity coordinator who’s available 24/7, And the companies get 30 days to audit themselves and report any gaps in cyber-defense.
The new obligations come in the wake of a ransomware attack on the East Coast Colonial pipeline that led to high prices and fuel shortages.
Plus the start of the summer travel season, which was sabotaged last year by the pandemic, and could be disrupted again by another pipeline shutdown.
Kinder Morgan, which has pipelines in Arizona, emailed a statement.
“Given our close working relationship with various government agencies on these issues, we anticipate having no difficulty operating in accordance with [Transportation Security Administration’s] new directive.”
