A ransomware attack that disrupted operations on the 5,500-mile (8,850km) Colonial Pipeline system has ignited US debate over federal cybersecurity standards and the potential scope of an infrastructure plan backed by President Joe Biden. The 2.5mn b/d Colonial Pipeline halted shipments on 7 May after hacking group DarkSide installed ransomware on computers used in business operations. The shutdown was a precautionary step to prevent malicious code from spreading to control systems for the pipeline, which Colonial says supplies 45pc of the fuel used on the US east coast. But the resulting regional fuel shortages and other disruptions have led policy makers to push for sweeping changes in regulation.
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