Natural gas pipeline operators must enhance their cybersecurity protocols to avoid breaches like the one that shut down the Colonial Pipeline refined products conduit in May, a panel of experts agreed Wednesday. 

maps

Electronic bulletin boards (EBB) are especially vulnerable to hacks, said the panelists participating virtually in the LDC Gas Forums Midcontinent conference in Chicago.

The energy industry “is probably not at the forefront in terms of adopting the latest technology,” said NatGasHub.com CEO Jay Bhatty. 

He explained that “today when you hit click, and you submit your gas nomination, it leaves your home or your office. It’s traveling over the public internet and it’s traveling unencrypted…most companies are likely not using encryption software to encrypt...