In April 2021, the Prime Minister issued a document assigning the Ministry of Science and Technology to assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in, soon finalizing and promulgating national technical regulations on gasoline, diesel fuel, and biofuel corresponding to emission standards at level 5. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for directing petrol and oil suppliers to have a plan to supply gasoline and diesel at level 5 to ensure that they meet demand for use and are in sync with the application roadmap. emission standards level 5. According to the Vietnam Register, with this regulation, the Euro 5 emission standard only applies to new cars when the vehicle type approval certificate is issued. The emission test method for new vehicles is carried out in a dedicated laboratory. Euro 5 emissions do not apply when periodically checking with cars in circulation. For cars in circulation, the emission standards are applied according to the rapid test method at the registration facilities according to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 16 on the roadmap for applying emission standards of cars participating in traffic and automobiles. Imported used. This standard stipulates that cars with gasoline and diesel engines manufactured after 2008 will apply the level 2 emission standard from January 1, 2020. Thus, raising the automobile emission standard from level 4 (in 2017) to level 5 in January 2022, Vietnam becomes one of the top countries in ASEAN in terms of controlling emissions that have an impact on the environment. In addition, the improvement of automobile emission standards will reduce the cost of disaster recovery due to the greenhouse effect and the cost of medical examination and treatment for the community.

A Colonia Pipeline fuel station. Photo: Getty Images The US Department of Transportation’s guidance notice emphasizes that this decision is in response to emergency conditions, stemming from the need for immediate transportation of fuel items, to relieve problems related to supply scarcity. Colonial Pipeline on May 9 also said that many of the company’s main operating pipelines are still closed, but some small lines connecting the supply station and distribution point have returned to normal operation. On May 7, Colonial Pipeline was hacked with ransomware, a type of code that locks systems by encrypting data and demands a ransom to restore access. The attack caused Colonia Pipeline to shut down the entire pipeline network. Colonial Pipeline transports gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined products from the Gulf of Texas to the densely populated East Coast of the United States through an 8,850-kilometer pipeline, serving 50 million customers. In areas affected by supply disruptions, fuel demand increased by 4% on May 8, prices also increased by more than 4.2%. The attack caused concern among US consumers about the scarcity of gasoline supplies if the problem is not fixed in time.

Fuel will be transported by road to Washington DC and the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee , Texas, Virginia. Colonial Pipeline is the largest oil pipeline operator in the United States On May 7, the leading US fuel pipeline operator Colonial Pipeline announced the shutdown of its entire network following a cyber attack by ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware designed to lock down a system by encrypting data and demanding a ransom from the victim to regain access. Colonial Pipeline asked a cybersecurity company to coordinate with federal law enforcement agencies to investigate this cyberattack. The shutdown of the largest fuel pipeline network in the United States will cause the price of this item and related products to spike. According to some sources, a hacker group called “DarkSide” is suspected of causing the attack. This is a group of hackers that have carried out many cyber attacks that have cost many Western countries tens of billions of dollars in the past 3 years.

Illustration. The breach at Alpharetta, Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline is the latest in a series of cybersecurity incidents confronting the administration of President Joe Biden – as well as a striking reminder that many companies Operators of the nation’s most basic infrastructure, from dams to power plants, are still unprepared to deal with the threats posed by toxic numbers. Here’s a summary of how a criminal gang managed to get into Colonial’s systems and why the tool they use – ransomware – is such a persistent threat. How can a hacker shut down a pipeline? On May 7, Colonial Pipeline said it learned that hackers had infected their computer networks with ransomware, malicious code used to take control of computers and extract payments from victims. The breach affected Colonial’s business network, which it uses for tasks like payroll management and data reporting to regulators. Colonial disabled those systems, but it also turned off the much more sensitive technology running its pipeline operations — a precaution meant to prevent hackers from accessing it if they hadn’t already. These systems monitor air flow for impurities and leaks, control power levels, and perform other automated tasks to keep pipelines running smoothly. What exactly was closed? Colonial shut down its entire main pipeline, more than 5,500 miles long from Houston, Texas, to Linden, New Jersey. The pipeline transports 45% of gasoline, jet fuel and diesel to the US East Coast, according to the company. The short-lived outage sent wholesale gas prices up on financial markets in the affected region, but that rally cooled slightly during trading on May 10. And while some gasoline retailers may try to add a few cents a gallon to the price at the pump, there have been no reports of shortages at suppliers serving those retail points. Market analysts say the pipeline shutdown will need to last through at least the middle of the week to start affecting supply in some parts of the Southeast, and Houston’s refineries won’t start. reduce production unless Colonial shuts down until next week. Overall, the US is stockpiling 235 million barrels of gasoline, enough to supply the whole country for nearly a month. However, retail gasoline prices have risen steadily in recent weeks and any anxiety could accelerate gains as the country approaches Memorial Day weekend, which the industry considers is the beginning of the “summer driving season” in high demand. How bad could this be? It depends on whether the outage turns into a protracted crisis for Colonial’s customers, which include busy airports and US military bases. Some customers can buy fuel from foreign suppliers, but they will face more financial pressure as Colonial’s pipeline network remains offline. Colonial said on May 10 that it has begun reactivating segments of the pipeline and anticipates “significantly restoring operational service by the end of the week”. However, they did not explain what “basically” means and did provide some other details about the attack investigation. What is Ransomware? Ransomware is software that hackers deploy to lock down victims’ data so they can’t access or use it – in the worst case scenario, essentially shutting down an entire company or government office. The hacker then demands a ransom in exchange for providing a digital key to unlock the files. Over the past few years, ransomware has grown from an occasional nuisance to a ubiquitous threat. Victims include the hospital system, the school district and the DC police department, as well as many small businesses. According to the FBI report, ransomware attacks increased by 37% from 2018-2019 and 20% from 2019-2020. According to one report, the pandemic has led to a significant increase in ransomware, with the number of attacks Attacks more than doubled year-on-year, with a particularly large increase in the healthcare sector. The Department of Justice recently launched a task force to explore new solutions to the problem. But in the meantime, the problem continues to get worse as criminal motives grow. Why aren’t pipelines and power plants better protected against ransomware? The private companies that operate much of America’s critical infrastructure — power plants, dams, natural gas pipelines, and other critical facilities — often neglect to implement safety protocols. government-recommended cybersecurity. While protecting against foreign government hackers sometimes requires complex technology that small critical infrastructure operators cannot afford, protecting against ransomware is are not. Use strong passwords, train employees not to click on suspicious links, and require employees to use multi-factor authentication – which involves entering a randomly generated number after entering one’s password – can prevent all but the most advanced types of hacks, including ransomware. Despite years of warnings from government officials and cybersecurity experts, most companies outside of the highly regulated financial sector have not taken many of these steps. And even organizations that try to take cybersecurity seriously can be covered by small holes. A long-neglected office worker or old computer in a closet is often the weak link that opens an organization’s doors to hackers. With so many companies leaving themselves with easy targets, many cybercriminals have started using ransomware to make money. By choosing victims they know there can be no downtime, these criminals virtually guarantee themselves an easy profit. Additionally, many ransomware operators have begun exploiting a secondary source of profit: reselling stolen data on the dark web, where sensitive personal information can fetch huge sums. Between victims and hackers is a burgeoning crypto ecosystem, consisting of unscrupulous payment facilitators ready to handle ransom transactions and rock wall law enforcement. How often do victims pay the ransom? The US government discourages ransomware victims from paying attackers to regain access to their data. While some ransomware operators honor their agreements and unlock victims’ files to foster trust and increase their chances of receiving a future ransom, many of these criminals simply take the money and disappear. Paying the ransom also encourages cybercriminals to continue their attacks. Anne Neuberger, deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, said: “We recognize that victims of cyberattacks often face very difficult situations and they must balance the cost-benefit when there is no other option about paying the ransom,” – told reporters on May 10 In the US, it is not illegal to pay a ransom to regain access to locked data. However, it is illegal to pay ransoms to entities on the Treasury’s sanctions list, and the Treasury Department has warned companies that assist ransomware victims to conduct due diligence on hackers. before making payment arrangements. DarkSide, what is the group behind the attack? The FBI has confirmed that the Colonial Pipeline hack was the work of the DarkSide ransomware gang. This group is a relatively newcomer to the ransomware ecosystem, but they are already well known for their professionalism, patience, and large ransom demand. Security firm Cybereason wrote in a report last month: “The team has a phone number and even a help desk to facilitate negotiations with the victim, and they are putting a lot of effort into gathering information. about their victims – not just technical information about their environment, but more general information about the company itself, like the size of the organization and estimated revenue.” DarkSide is based in Russia, but so far the US has said it does not believe the hackers acted on behalf of the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr. Biden said on the afternoon of May 10: “To date, there is no evidence … from our intelligence people that Russia is involved. However, he added: “There is evidence that the actor’s ransomware is in Russia. They have some responsibility to deal with this.” Like other ransomware gangs, DarkSide operates on a so-called “ransomware-as-a-service” model, in which it provides code to less sophisticated hackers and helps them carry out attacks enter in exchange for their share of the profits. After being closely watched by the Colonial Pipeline attack, DarkSide seems to be rethinking this model. On May 10, a purported statement from the DarkSide hackers announced the group’s intention to scrutinize the partners’ planned attacks in the future to “avoid social consequences.” festival”. “Our goal is to make money, and not create problems for society.” What is the US government doing with this attack? The White House has established a working group that includes the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency; The Department of Transport’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; FBI; and the Departments of Energy, Treasury and Defense. These agencies are working together to prepare for various scenarios should the pipeline remain shut, including planning for shortages and higher gas prices. In addition, the Department of Transportation waives regulations that limit the driving time without rest of fuel trucks in 17 states and Washington DC. That could make it easier to deliver to customers due to Colonial’s closure.

Illustration. https://tinhtexaydung.petrotimes.vn The attack resulted in higher gas prices, causing drivers to worry about shortages, while Colonial Pipeline Co. is working to restart the fuel line. However, the price of gasoline sold at pumping stations is higher and the possibility of fuel supply shortage is inevitable. After all, it is only temporary and its effects will be fleeting. But there’s a bigger problem: this has to do with America’s energy infrastructure, exactly how secure is its cybersecurity infrastructure? Experts soon said: The team that carried out this attack consisted of seasoned hackers. Later, a ransomware group called DarkSide claimed responsibility for the attack, and the FBI also pointed to this group as the culprit. Here’s what DarkSide said in its statement: “We are apolitical, we do not engage in geopolitics, do not need to tie us to a defined government, and seek our motives. . Our goal is to make money, and not create any other problems for society. Starting today, we’re introducing censorship and vetting of each company that our partners want to encrypt to avoid future social consequences.” The statement was clearly intended to address allegations made that Russia was behind the attack, but even the White House was careful not to point the finger at Moscow. President Biden said there was no evidence that they were involved in the attack. That’s related to geopolitical motives, but the statement also suggests that DarkSide and its partners won’t stop, even if they don’t intentionally cause problems. “Colonial may be at risk of leaking consignor confidential data,” said Vicki Knott, CEO of CruxOCM, a provider of control room operations services to the oil and gas industry. https://tinhtexaydung.petrotimes.vn

The Colonia company had to shut down the fuel pipeline after a cyber attack. Photo: AP. Leading American fuel pipeline company Colonial shut down its entire network that supplies nearly half of the fuel to the US East Coast, following a May 8 ransomware ransomware attack. Every day, the Colonial company ships 2.5 million barrels of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other products through a 850-kilometer pipeline connecting the eastern and southern coasts of the United States. The company has shut down systems to stop the threat after learning about the attack. According to sources, hackers are most likely a highly professional cybercrime group. And the malware used in the attack is ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware designed to lock systems by encrypting data and taps money to regain access. This malware has become popular in the past 5 years. The Colonial Company has invited a third-party cybersecurity company to conduct an investigation and contacted law enforcement and other federal agencies to initiate an investigation. Colonial provided no further details or said how long their fuel lines would be closed. “Cyber ​​vulnerabilities have become a systemic issue,” said Ms. Algirde Pipikaite, Head of Network Strategies at the World Economic Forum’s Cyber ​​Security Center. Without measures to protect cybersecurity, attacks are occurring more often on industrial systems such as oil and gas pipelines or water treatment plants. In 2017, Colonial shut down its gas distillation and production lines during Hurricane Harvey that hit the Gulf Coast. That contributes to tight supply and price increases in gasoline in the US.

Colonial Pipeline America’s largest fuel pipeline system was attacked by network, has not yet assessed the damage. (Source: Freightwaves) To deal with the incident, the company had to close the entire network. Colonial Pipeline said the attack “suspended all pipeline operations and affected some of our IT systems”. Sources in cybersecurity revealed that the malware used in the Colonial Pipeline attack was ransomware – a type of malware designed to block systems with how to encrypt data and request a ransom payment to restore access. The Colonial transports gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined products from the Gulf of Texas to the populous US East Coast via a 8,850 km pipeline, serving 50 million customers. Oil analyst Andy Lipow said that the impact of the attack on supply and fuel prices will depend on how long the pipeline is down. If the line stops working for a day or two, the impact will be minor. However, if the pipeline is forced to shut down for 5 or 6, shortages or price increases will occur, especially in the area stretching from Alabama to Washington DC. (According to AFP, Reuters)

This result is due to the improvement of domestic market demand as the COVID-19 epidemic has gradually been controlled. Demand for diesel oil is high and gasoline demand is quite good. Demand for Jet A1 jet fuel has improved compared to the COVID-19 outbreak in late January 2021. Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Joint Stock Company. In addition, oil prices in recent months have increased, making production and business activities of Dung Quat Oil Refinery more favorable. At the beginning of March 2021, the price of Brent oil sometimes increased to nearly 70 USD / barrel. In particular, the drastic implementation of the COVID-19 response solution package and oil price volatility are also very important factors to help BSR overcome all difficulties and exceed the targets. In addition, the Board of Directors of BSR has devised a strategy to overcome difficulties during a pandemic, implemented many drastic solutions such as adjusting the capacity range to suit market needs, enhancing cash flow management, and reducing maximizing costs and promoting activities of scientific research, innovation, innovation, and labor creation. With these foundations and the results achieved in the first quarter of 2021, BSR continues to propose flexible and trendy solutions and strategies to make stronger breakthroughs in the coming time. Accordingly, the company set targets to strive to achieve an output of about 6,497 million tons; revenue is 70,661 billion dong, paid to the State budget 7,698 billion dong and profit after tax is about 864 billion dong. To complete the tasks of 2021, BSR has proactively built business scenarios and plans to actively respond to unpredictable market fluctuations such as: Focusing on safe and stable plant operations in high capacity with optimal operating mode and product structure; continue to do well in market forecast work; promote innovation, research, application and diversification of new products with higher value. BRS also continues to thoroughly implement the work of reducing, saving costs and managing cash flow; improve governance capacity, increase digitalization of the management system to improve operational efficiency; continue to well implement the PetroVietnam Cultural Restoration Project, build BSR’s foundational culture based on the program “7 effective habits” to strengthen employees’ spiritual strength. In 2020, BSR also successfully overcame the crisis with positive results. BSR completed the 4th general maintenance of Dung Quat Oil Refinery; operating the plant safely, continuously and stably; production output reached 5.93 million tons, finishing 19 days before, exceeding 7% of the year plan. Notably, BSR achieved revenue of 57,895 billion VND, paid to the State budget 6,242 billion VND and reduced the loss to only 2,852 billion VND, lower than originally expected. BSR started to be profitable again from the third quarter of 2020, ending the accumulated loss for 2 consecutive quarters; cost reduction is nearly 2,000 billion VND; over 350 innovations and 40 initiatives were put into use, benefiting the company hundreds of billion dong.