Leading US oilfield company Halliburton struck by cyberattack
The energy sector faces increasing cyber threats, with past incidents like the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack underscoring the severe impact such breaches can have.
Halliburton, a major US oilfield services company, experienced a cyberattack on Wednesday, affecting certain systems and disrupting business operations at its north Houston campus and global networks. The company is working with external experts to resolve the issue and has advised some staff not to connect to internal networks as they investigate the cause and impact of the attack.
Cyberattacks have become a significant concern for the energy sector following high-profile incidents like the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack that led to fuel shortages and price spikes. Although details about the Halliburton attack remain unclear, ransomware attacks typically involve hackers encrypting data and demanding payment for its release, with threats to leak confidential information if their demands are not met.
Halliburton, one of the largest oilfield services firms globally, is now the latest in a series of major US companies targeted by cybercriminals, raising further alarm in an industry already on high alert for such threats.