Biden signs executive order to strengthen cyber defenses
The order calls for modernization and implementation of stronger security standards following the cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline that caused huge gas shortages in the eastern U.S.
Mandi Kogosowski
| 18/05/2021
President Biden. Photo: REUTERS/ Kevin Lamarque
Amid the Colonial Pipeline crisis, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order last week for strengthening the defense of federal networks and computer systems. The order calls for modernization and implementation of stronger cybersecurity standards, establishes new ways of securing software, and gives the Commerce Department responsibility for developing standards, tools and best practices for companies providing software to the government.
The Nextgov website quoted an unnamed administration official as saying that the order had been planned since the first days of the administration and became more urgent in light of recent cybersecurity incidents, especially those involving SolarWinds, Microsoft Exchange and of course Colonial Pipeline – a ransomware attack that had still not ended when these lines were written. The attack caused the shutdown of the largest gas pipeline in the U.S. that supplies almost half of the fuel of the states on the eastern coast, and widespread shortages following panic buying.
In the order, the president calls on the Homeland Security Department to establish a Cybersecurity Safety Review Board, led by senior figures from the private and government sectors, which will convene after cyberattacks to provide recommendations regarding how to deal with them. The order also emphasizes the importance of cooperation between the various agencies.
"Don't panic," Biden said to the American people in a televised speech on Thursday. "Do not get more gas than you need in the next few days," adding that the supply would return to normal soon. Colonial Pipeline restarted its system Wednesday night but there were still widespread interruptions of the supply, and shortages of fuel at thousands of points in the eastern and southeastern U.S.
The order calls for modernization and implementation of stronger security standards following the cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline that caused huge gas shortages in the eastern U.S.
President Biden. Photo: REUTERS/ Kevin Lamarque
Amid the Colonial Pipeline crisis, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order last week for strengthening the defense of federal networks and computer systems. The order calls for modernization and implementation of stronger cybersecurity standards, establishes new ways of securing software, and gives the Commerce Department responsibility for developing standards, tools and best practices for companies providing software to the government.
The Nextgov website quoted an unnamed administration official as saying that the order had been planned since the first days of the administration and became more urgent in light of recent cybersecurity incidents, especially those involving SolarWinds, Microsoft Exchange and of course Colonial Pipeline – a ransomware attack that had still not ended when these lines were written. The attack caused the shutdown of the largest gas pipeline in the U.S. that supplies almost half of the fuel of the states on the eastern coast, and widespread shortages following panic buying.
In the order, the president calls on the Homeland Security Department to establish a Cybersecurity Safety Review Board, led by senior figures from the private and government sectors, which will convene after cyberattacks to provide recommendations regarding how to deal with them. The order also emphasizes the importance of cooperation between the various agencies.
"Don't panic," Biden said to the American people in a televised speech on Thursday. "Do not get more gas than you need in the next few days," adding that the supply would return to normal soon. Colonial Pipeline restarted its system Wednesday night but there were still widespread interruptions of the supply, and shortages of fuel at thousands of points in the eastern and southeastern U.S.
