Biden's executive order aims to strengthen US cyber defenses

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden issued an executive order Thursday aimed at strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity and making it easier to pursue foreign adversaries or hacking groups that attempt to compromise U.S. internet and telecommunications systems.

The order’s provisions call for the development of minimum cybersecurity standards for government technology contractors and require contractors to submit proof that they are complying with the rules.

They also aim to make it easier for U.S. authorities to sanction foreign governments that target the United States with cyberattacks – a change that comes after several recent hacking incidents linked to China, Iran, Russia And North Korea. Among other changes, the order allows sanctions to be imposed on foreign hackers who target hospitals or other organizations with ransomware.

The order also requires federal agencies to improve cybersecurity to protect against the threat posed by powerful quantum computerswhich cyber experts believe could be used to easily penetrate many systems. It’s a problem that could have direct national security implications if a foreign adversary builds a computer sophisticated enough to break U.S. codes.

The White House issued the order just days before Biden, a Democrat, left office. Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s administration could reverse the policy in favor of its own proposals. But Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger said the executive order’s dual goals — strengthening cybersecurity and punishing those responsible for cyberattacks — should win bipartisan support.

The order aims to show that “America is serious about protect our businesses and our citizens,” Neuberger said while briefing reporters on the new policies.

The policies are based on several previous actions by the Biden administration aimed at strengthening defenses against cyber intrusions – whether they target the government, critical infrastructure such as ports or power plants, American companies or individual users.

Earlier this month, the White House announced a labeling program designed to help consumers choose smart devices that are more resistant to hacking. Under the cyber trustmark programManufacturers of internet-connected devices can affix the label to inform buyers that the product meets federal cybersecurity standards.

Trump has not announced his picks for top national cybersecurity posts. John Ratcliffe, Trump’s nominee for CIA director, said Wednesday during his Senate confirmation hearing that it is essential that the United States improve its defensive and offensive cyber capabilities to keep up with China and other adversaries.

“We have the best code makers and code breakers in the world,” Ratcliffe said of U.S. spy agencies. “But if China gets into quantum computing before us, that will be a real problem.”