President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to bolster the federal government’s cyber security and protect the country’s cyber infrastructure.
The order prioritized the protection of federal networks, established guidelines for building a better integrated system and directed agencies to help centralize risks, said Tom Bossert, the president’s homeland security adviser.
In announcing the executive order at the White House, Mr. Trump was keeping “his promise that he made to the American people to keep America safe, including in cyberspace,” Mr. Bossert said.
The measures were a response to an increase in cyber attacks in recent years form both foreign governments and non-government actors.
“Sitting by and doing nothing is no longer an option,” Mr. Bossert said.
Pressed by reporters on whether that was a jab at the Obama administration, Mr. Bossert said: “A lot of progress was made in the last administration, but not nearly enough.”
However, he said the cyber security effort was not directly tied to allegations that Russia hacked the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign during the 2016 presidential election.
“It was not a Russia-motivated issue. It was a United States of America-motivated issue,” Mr. Bossert said. “The Russians are not our only adversary on the internet.”
Despite making enhanced cyber security a top campaign promise, Mr. Trump had delayed taking steps to implement changes. He was set to sign a cybersecurity order just days after taking office in January, but held off to get input from federal agencies and outside experts.
Mr. Bossert said that input came from business and tech industry leaders.
“There’s a lot to be learned from private industry,” he said.
He thanked former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a homeland security expert and campaign adviser to Mr. Trump, for contributing to the plan.
Mr. Bossert also thanked lawmakers who have been working on cyber security, including Republican Sens. John McCain and Richard Burr and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.
Mr. McCain, a frequent critic of the president, said the executive order was short on action.
“We do not need more assessments, reports and reviews. We need policy, strategy and the resources to carry them out,” said Mr. McCain, who is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“Countless witnesses before the Senate Armed Services Committee have warned that the threats we face in cyberspace are growing in speed and sophistication. I hope the various reviews ordered today will be completed quickly and build on the many assessments required by the past two defense authorization bills so we can move on to the urgent business of formulating a strategy to deter, defend against and respond to cyberattacks on our nation,” he said.
Rep. Lamar Smith, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, applauded the president’s action. “Cybersecurity is critical to national security, and today’s executive order shows that President Trump is taking the matter seriously. This executive order gives federal agencies the right direction, goals, and priorities to keep America safe,” the Texas Republican said.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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