Biden to sign memorandum on critical infrastructure cybersecurity

U.S. President Joe Biden will sign a memorandum on Wednesday on further critical infrastructure cybersecurity, a senior U.S. administration official told reporters.

“The president will sign a memorandum on national security and improving cybersecurity of critical infrastructure control systems.”

According to the administration official, Biden will direct the Department of Homeland Security and the Commerce Department to develop formal cybersecurity goals. In addition, the memorandum will formalize the authorities’ recent initiatives in this area, which provide for voluntary cooperation of U.S. companies with the authorities in this area.
The administration spokeswoman said, however, that authorities have so far relied on voluntary participation by firms, but have not ruled out mandatory ones, including those enshrined in law through Congress.

“We have to move swiftly, exploring all options — voluntary and mandatory — to get the results we need.”