According to CSJTeam (2018), attacks on availability are all about preventing a target from accessing their data or systems. An attack I decided to discuss is the Colonial Pipeline attack that occurred in 2021. This is a good example of an attack on availability because it caused significant disruptions to gasoline delivery across the United States. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (2021), it is crucial to strengthen defenses against hackers to protect critical infrastructure. The article went into detail about how the attack occurred; apparently, hackers arranged ransomware against the organization’s business (2021). Usually, when a situation like this happens, the cyber defense team works hard to prevent the attack from spreading. Following the Colonial Pipeline attack, the company shut down its operations, causing a fuel shortage across the United States.

According to the article, the Transportation Security Administration managed the pipeline security, which had weaknesses (2021). This has taught me that an attack cannot only affect the organization but also disrupt the lives of people. I remember when this attack happened, gas station lines were wrapped around the corner, and gas prices were extremely high. This attack was a safety concern, given that transportation is essential for transporting goods, such as prescriptions or healthcare supplies.

The Colonial Pipeline attack has shown me that an attack does not just affect technical issues; it also affects real people. I believe cybersecurity is essential because it keeps systems running, protects the things we use every day, and supports global trust. One of the reasons I decided to get a degree in cybersecurity is that technology is advancing every day, and no matter how successful artificial intelligence becomes, people will still be an important part of security.

Reference

U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2021, June 8). Colonial Pipeline cyberattack highlights need for better federal and private sector preparedness [Infographic]. U.S. GAO. https://www.gao.gov/blog/colonial-pipeline-cyberattack-highlights-need-better-federal-and-private-sector-preparedness-infographic

CSJTeam. (2018, February 16). What is cyber security? Cyber Security Jobs. What is Cyber Security? | Cyber Security Jobs