Computer virus shuts down CSXT rail system & part of Amtrak

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2003 17:30:16 -0400
> From: Richard Jay Solomon <rsolomon () dsl cis upenn edu>
> Subject: Fwd: Computer virus shuts down CSXT rail system & part of Amtrak
> To: dave () farber net
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>
> > Computer Virus Blamed in Temporary Shutdown of CSX Rail System
> > Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch
> > Publication date: 2003-08-21
> > Arrival time: 2003-08-20
> >
> > Aug. 21--A computer virus was blamed for an early-morning shutdown of
> > CSX Corp.'s 23,000-mile-long rail system yesterday.
> >
> > The emergency measure, which caused long delays for rail travelers, drew
> > the attention of federal rail and security authorities.
> >
> > The virus damaged telecommunications systems that transmit data to CSX's
> > signals, forcing the nation's third-largest railroad to
> > grind to a halt about 1:15 a.m.
> >
> > Amtrak immediately halted 10 trains, including some heading to Richmond.
> > Virginia Railway Express trains also were canceled in
> > the morning.
> >
> > Passenger service was restored after about five hours, but was still
> > running behind schedule late yesterday.
> >
> > CSX spokesman David Hall said the railroad was consulting with a number
> > of federal agencies, including the Department of
> > Homeland Security, "seeking their counsel and advice."
> >
> > No train mishaps were reported on the CSX system, which stretches from
> > Florida to Canada.
> >
> > Homeland Security spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said, "We are working with
> > CSX to address any vulnerabilities they may have to
> > the recent Internet worm."
> >
> > CSX's computer specialists managed to erect a firewall to protect train
> > dispatching and signal systems. Normal operations were
> > expected today.
> >
> > "The virus has been contained, and we're in the process of doing a
> > thorough inspection of every device that could possibly harbor the
> > virus," Hall said. But some "intermittent slowdowns" in CSX's
> > information technology system remained.
> >
> > CSX officials blamed "a strain of the Blaster" worm for the woes.
> >
> > Asked whether the latest difficulties reveal a vulnerability to computer
> > hackers, CSX spokesman Bob Sullivan said, "We're
> > confronting the same thing that a number of major companies are
> > confronting."
> >
> > CSX is the only major freight carrier to report virus-related operating
> > problems, according to Warren Flatau, spokesman for the
> > Federal Railroad Administration.
> >
> > Flatau, whose agency oversees rail safety, said it was satisfied with
> > the rail company's response to its computer problems "based
> > on the information we have received to date." The agency intends to
> > follow up with CSX to "determine if additional safeguards are
> > necessary."
> >
> > The shutdown left many morning commuters stuck at Virginia Railway
> > Express stations in Fredericksburg and Manassas.
> >
> > Amtrak spokesman Dan Stessel said 10 trains were halted as far south as
> > Florence, S.C., and north to Pittsburgh.
> >
> > An inbound train from Washington arrived in Richmond more than eight
> > hours late, according to Amtrak district manager Michael
> > Jerew.
> >
> > "It's terrible, terrible," he said in his office at Staples Mill
> > Station. "Most people were so tired they wanted to get off the train and
> > go
> > home."
> >
> > Those passengers probably are entitled to travel vouchers for the value
> > of their tickets, Jerew said.
> >
> > After arriving fours hours late, Ronald Cromedy, of Charleston, S.C.,
> > said he was supposed to catch a connecting train to Newport
> > News. Instead, the warehouse manager called for a company car.
> >
> > "If I get on a train, I might never get through," he said.
> >
> > CSX did not notify the VRE about its problems until shortly before
> > passengers arrived for 5 a.m. trains, according to commuter rail
> > spokesman Mark Roeber.
> >
> > He wondered why the railroad took so long to notify the regional rail
> > service. CSX's Sullivan replied that the railroad had hoped it
> > would be up and running before the morning commutes.
> >
> > "As soon as it became clear that it wouldn't, we notified them," he
> > said.
> >
> > -----
> >
> > To see more of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, or to subscribe to the
> > newspaper, go to http://www.timesdispatch.com
> >
> > (c) 2003, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va. Distributed by Knight
> > Ridder/Tribune Business News.
> >
> > CSX,
> >
> > Publication date: 2003-08-21

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