Risk of cyberattacks clouds natural gas boom

Cyberattacks against U.S. natural gas pipelines underscore the potential downside of the shale gas boom — the increased vulnerability that comes as the nation prepares to add tens of thousands of miles of pipeline to complement soaring production.

Experts say the expansion creates ample reason to worry about whether the natural gas industry — and the energy industry in general — is prepared. On May 7, administration officials briefed Senate staff on a series of “sophisticated” attacks that have targeted gas pipeline companies during the past few months, as well as a more broad cyberthreat facing the United States.