US declares state of emergency as cyber attack shuts down major pipeline

The Department of Transportation has issued a regional emergency declaration, relaxing hours-of-service regulations for drivers carrying gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined petroleum products.

The cyberextortion attempt that has forced the shutdown of a vital US pipeline was carried out by a criminal gang known as DarkSide that cultivates a Robin Hood image of stealing from corporations and giving a cut to charity, two people close to the investigation said Sunday. The shutdown, meanwhile, stretched into its third day, with the Biden administration loosening regulations for the transport of petroleum products on highways as part of an “all-hands-on-deck” effort to avoid disruptions in the fuel supply.