U.S. government or cybersecurity firm reports identifying the primary source of a major cyberattack

Biden Issues Sweeping Cybersecurity Order to Bolster U.S. Defenses

Jan 16, 2025, 06:02 AM

President Joe Biden has issued a comprehensive executive order aimed at fortifying the United States' cybersecurity infrastructure against escalating threats from foreign adversaries, particularly China and Russia. The order mandates improvements in network monitoring, software procurement, AI utilization, and imposes sanctions on foreign hackers targeting critical U.S. infrastructure. Key provisions include requirements for software vendors to prove secure development practices, the establishment of minimum cybersecurity standards for government contractors, and the use of AI for cyber defense. The directive also addresses the security risks posed by quantum computing, setting deadlines for federal agencies to enhance their cybersecurity measures. This move comes in response to recent cyberattacks linked to state-sponsored groups, aiming to make it costlier and more difficult for hackers to compromise U.S. systems. The order also introduces the Cyber Trust Mark program to help consumers identify secure internet-connected devices.