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The Colonial Pipeline cyberattack shows how vulnerable America is to cyber terrorists

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline is raising new questions and concerns for businesses around the country.

Cybersecurity leaders say the attack shows just how vulnerable we are.

“It’s free money essentially. There’s not much risk to them,” said Chris Painter, former White House cyber policy director.

In Washington, officials are asking what industries could be vulnerable to an attack and have the greatest impact to Americans.

“It could be transportation. It could be food distribution. It could be water. I could be any critical infrastructure. I think everyone is vulnerable that is using computers, and that is everyone,” said Painter.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order to improve the country’s cybersecurity effort, including how the U.S. Government responds to attacks like the one on the Colonial Pipeline.

The order allows the private sector to share information with the federal government and agencies.

“There is no company, too small to suffer a ransomware attack,” said Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security.

The Biden Administration says the country and American businesses are seeing a rise in cyberattacks from year to year, with consequences growing.

“Cyberattacks on our nation’s infrastructure are growing more sophisticated, frequent and aggressive,” said Brandon Wales, Department of Homeland Security.

Former government officials tell Channel 11′s Blair Miller, the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland security need to play a bigger role in preventing attacks, as well as sending a message of consequences when they do happen.