Biden signs executive order to harden cybersecurity defenses

Washington — President Biden signed an executive order Wednesday aimed at hardening the federal government's cybersecurity defenses, as his administration tackles a slew of overlapping cyber hacks, including a ransomware attack on a major fuel artery that has caused gas shortages in at least seven states across the Southeast. 

The executive order — months in the making — falls short of addressing critical infrastructure, including oil and gas pipelines, but directs the Commerce Department to author new standards for software vendors supplying the federal government. The cybersecurity rating system, likened to New York City's restaurant health grades, would mandate multi-factor user verification to new technology and added encryption.  Within four months, the Biden White House has been confronted by a sweeping Russian cyberespionage operation compromising nine federal agencies and roughly 100 private companies, in addition to a Chinese-linked, widespread Microsoft Exchange hack hitting tens of thousands of businesses nationwide. This weekend, Colonial Pipeline revealed a ransomware attack forced the company to shut down all 5,500 miles of its pipeline, responsible for delivering 45% of the East Coast's fuel supply.