Halliburton Responds to Cyberattack, Shuts Down Internal Systems

Oil drilling and fracking giant Halliburton has confirmed it was the target of a cyberattack that prompted the company to take some of its internal systems offline. In a statement filed with government regulators, Halliburton reported unauthorized access to its systems and activated its cybersecurity response plan, which includes an ongoing investigation with external advisers. The company has not disclosed the identity of the attackers or whether a ransom demand has been made. The U.S. Department of Energy has stated that there are currently no indications that the cyber incident is affecting energy services. Halliburton, which employs approximately 48,000 people globally, is known for its significant role in the energy sector, including its involvement in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement in 2010. The company’s spokesperson, Victoria Ingalls, declined to provide further details about the nature of the attack or the company's cybersecurity oversight. Cybersecurity experts have expressed concern over the incident, suggesting that the decision to take systems offline may indicate a severe ransomware attack. Dov Yoran, CEO of Command Zero, emphasized that attacks on the energy sector pose risks to the entire economy, potentially disrupting supply chains and affecting consumers. As Halliburton continues its investigation, the company is focused on restoring systems and assessing the extent of the damage caused by the breach.