Sen Rockefeller calls on Obama to issue cybersecurity executive order

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) urged President Barack Obama to issue an executive order that would establish a program in which companies operating critical infrastructure would take steps to bolster the security of their computer systems from a cyberattack.

He said President Obama could issue an executive order to implement a section of that bill that would have encouraged operators of critical systems to adopt tighter security standards. "[B]ecause it is very unclear whether the Senate will come to agreement on cybersecurity legislation in the near future, I urge you to explore and employ every lever of executive power that you possess to protect this country from the cyber threat," Sen Rockefeller wrote in a letter. "We must act to address our cyber vulnerabilities as soon as possible and many components of the Cybersecurity Act are amenable to implementation via executive order, normal regulatory processes, or other executive action under the authorities of the Homeland Security Act."