The cyber security market is forecast to be worth $363.05 billion over the next five years, according to Mordor Intelligence. Getty
The cyber security market is forecast to be worth $363.05 billion over the next five years, according to Mordor Intelligence. Getty
The cyber security market is forecast to be worth $363.05 billion over the next five years, according to Mordor Intelligence. Getty
The cyber security market is forecast to be worth $363.05 billion over the next five years, according to Mordor Intelligence. Getty

Colonial Pipeline pays $4.4m ransom to cyber criminals


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

Colonial Pipeline, which suffered a major cyber attack that caused fuel shortages and price increases across the US this month, paid $4.4 million to the criminal group to regain control of its systems.

Joseph Blount, chief executive of the company, told the Wall Street Journal that he approved the ransom payment because his employees did not know how badly the attack had breached the systems and how long would it take to bring the pipeline back in action.

"I know that's a highly controversial decision … I didn't make it lightly. I will admit that I wasn't comfortable seeing money go out the door to people like this. But it was the right thing to do for the country," Mr Blount told the WSJ.

The ransomware attack on the 2.5 million barrels per day Colonial Pipeline endangered access to fuel for the US East Coast.

The pipeline, which was built in the 1960s, snakes across a distance of 8,850 kilometres and carries products sufficient to meet the total consumption of Germany – Europe’s largest economy and the world’s fourth-biggest.

The company realised that its systems were compromised on May 7, when an employee found a ransom note from hackers on a control-room computer.

"We were perfectly happy having no one know who Colonial Pipeline was, and unfortunately that's not the case any more ... everybody in the world knows," said Mr Blount.

Colonial paid the criminal group in cryptocurrency and in return, it got a decryption tool to unlock the compromised systems.

Mr Blount estimated that the attack will ultimately cost the company tens of millions of dollars.

DarkSide, the criminal group identified by the FBI for being behind the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline, said its aim was to "make money" but not create problems for society.

DarkSide, which follows the ransomware-as-a-service model – meaning it sells or leases ransomware to others to carry out attacks – reportedly shut down due to the “pressure” from the US government after the incident.

What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

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Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.