Biden Issues Cybersecurity Executive Order That Will Sanction Hackers [Video]

President Joe Biden issued an executive order Thursday aimed at strengthening U.S. cybersecurity defenses and cracking down on foreign hackers targeting critical infrastructure.

The order establishes mandatory cybersecurity standards for government contractors, authorizes sanctions against international cybercriminals, and addresses emerging risks posed by quantum computing.

Why It Matters

The executive order follows a wave of cyberattacks attributed to state-sponsored groups from nations including China and Russia. These incidents, such as the Salt Typhoon campaign targeting U.S. telecommunications infrastructure, have torn open vulnerabilities in systems critical to the functioning of the country.

What To Know

Key provisions of the executive order include new requirements for government contractors to meet minimum cybersecurity standards to avoid hacking. Federal agencies will be required …