Sen. Roy Blunt: Colonial Pipeline Attack Was Through Old Account Where Two-Part Authentication Might Have Prevented Attack

‘I’m glad this is getting the attention it’s now finally getting’

EXCERPT:

BLUNT: “The truth is, we haven't been able to guarantee our own system. You know, on the SolarWinds, they got in the government system as well. We didn't know they were there. We don't know how long they were there. We're not absolutely sure they're not there still. And so, you know, saying that companies would have to meet a standard we can't meet would be one thing. And let me make one other point. On the Colonial Pipeline, it was a very simple way in. They used an old account that was no longer even a person who — that account was not even part of the system anymore, but it wasn't taken out of the system. There was a place where maybe a two-part authentication would have made a big difference. We've worked hard on this, both in Intel and the Republican Policy Committee, trying to alert companies but also our own colleagues of how broad the danger could be here. And I'm glad this is getting the attention it's now finally getting.” 

Video files
Full
Compact
Audio files
Full
Compact