Spate of cyber-attacks pushes US government to extend national emergency
Victoria Rees
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Executive order 13694 has been extended for another year which declares a state of national emergency in the United States due to an elevated risk of cyber-attacks.
US President Joe Biden said that the threat, from persons and organizations outside the country, is still very much present.
“Significant malicious cyber-enabled activities originating from, or directed by persons located, in whole or in substantial part, outside the United States continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States,” the President said in a statement.
Earlier this month, President Biden warned critical infrastructure providers to stay vigilant, saying the government had “evolving intelligence” of Russian cyber-attackers mounting attacks in retaliation to the imposed sanctions.
“If you have not already done so, I urge our private sector partners to harden your cyber defenses immediately by implementing the best practices we have developed together over the last year,” Biden said at the time.
“You have the power, the capacity and the responsibility to strengthen the cybersecurity and resilience of the critical services and technologies on which Americans rely. We need everyone to do their part to meet one of the defining threats of our time — your vigilance and urgency today can prevent or mitigate attacks tomorrow.”