Obama faces Delicate decisions as Cyberattack Fears Rise

With Congress looking unlikely to act anytime soon to fix vulnerabilities in the nation’s computer systems that leave them open to cyberattacks, President Barack Obama is weighing the pros and cons of using an executive order to do what Congress hasn’t. But President Obama needs to consider his options carefully, because any unilateral steps could invite accusations from his critics of overstepping his authority.

As the acrimonious debate over antipiracy legislation illustrated earlier this year, simmering Internet issues can easily explode. Backers of the White House’s proposals say an executive order could add clarity to the debate and prove to skeptics that the government can play a greater role in protecting American networks without violating privacy or burdening private businesses. “I think it’s hard to make things any messier than it was politically,” said James Lewis, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “If done right, an executive order could help critics reconsider their arguments.” That’s an analysis echoed by University of California (Berkeley) professor Steven Weber who said many people seem to be “sleepwalking” when it comes to the threat of cyberattacks. An executive order, he said, could reform cybersecurity policies before a catastrophic attack galvanizes public opinion. An executive order could give Obama the chance to take a strong stand on a rising national-security concern while portraying Republicans in Congress as ditherers.