Colonial Pipeline does not plan to pay the ransom demanded by hackers who have encrypted its data, according to sources familiar with the company, CNN reports.
The ransomware group that carried out a crippling cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline has demanded millions in bitcoin cyrptocurrency payment, though at this point the company has not paid. The group, previously identified as DarkSide, demanded nearly $5 million.
The company has managed to retrieve the most important data that was stolen but not via a ransomware payment, but by leveraging the attackers’ use of intermediary servers within the US to store the stolen information.
Experts have also told CNN that early action by the company means it may be able to restore its systems without paying the ransom.
The hack prompted a pipeline shutdown that is now in its sixth day and has led to panic buying and gasoline shortages in the southeastern US. Colonial began reopening its line late Wednesdy, but the process may last days.
It declined to comment on the ransom issue.
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