President Obama likely to issue executive order on cybersecurity as early as January

An executive order from President Barack Obama aimed at protecting the nation from cyberattacks is likely to be issued in early 2013, and perhaps as soon as January, observers say.

The long-awaited executive action is unlikely to be taken before the end of the year, given the delicate negotiations over the “fiscal cliff.” Republican lawmakers have made it known that they strongly oppose an executive order on cybersecurity. GOP members in both chambers of Congress fear the cyber order will pile new regulations onto companies that operate critical infrastructure, such as water plants, financial systems and the electric grid. They argue that boosting the country’s cyber defenses requires a permanent legislative solution, not an executive order that might not carry over into the next administration.