Hackers Are Targeting Fuel Systems: What Small Businesses Need to Know

What's Happening

CISA, the FBI, the NSA, and the Department of Energy just issued a joint security alert about hackers actively exploiting fuel tank monitoring systems. These attacks target businesses and facilities that use internet-connected systems to track fuel levels. If your business uses heating oil, diesel, or gasoline storage tanks with remote monitoring, you need to pay attention right now.

The Details

Fuel tank monitoring systems help businesses track how much fuel they have without manual checks. These systems connect to the internet so managers can check levels from anywhere. That convenience creates a security risk when these systems aren't properly protected.

Hackers are finding these exposed systems online and breaking into them. Many fuel monitoring systems use default passwords that were never changed. Others lack basic security updates. Once inside, attackers can access your business network, steal data, or cause operational disruptions.

The federal alert specifically warns that these vulnerabilities affect critical infrastructure sectors. That includes healthcare facilities, schools, manufacturing plants, and transportation companies. Any business with fuel storage tanks and remote monitoring could be at risk.

Who Is Affected

This threat directly impacts small and medium-sized businesses that rely on fuel storage. If you run a trucking company, manage a building with heating oil tanks, or operate any facility with backup generators, your fuel monitoring system could be a target.

Property managers, school administrators, and healthcare facility operators should take special notice. These sectors often use older monitoring systems that haven't received security updates. Hackers know this and specifically search for these vulnerable systems online.

What You Should Do Right Now

1. Contact your fuel monitoring system provider today. Ask if your system is exposed to the internet and request immediate security guidance. Get the name and model number of your system before calling.

The Bigger Picture

This alert highlights a growing trend: hackers increasingly target industrial and infrastructure systems that were never designed with cybersecurity in mind. As more everyday business equipment connects to the internet, the attack surface grows. Staying informed about these emerging threats helps you protect your business before incidents happen.

How GetCyberRight Can Help

Our Cyber Threat Radar tool tracks exactly these kinds of emerging threats affecting businesses and infrastructure. It translates complex government alerts into clear, actionable guidance for business owners. You'll get early warnings about vulnerabilities that matter to your specific situation, helping you stay ahead of threats before they become headlines.