Democracy Dies in Darkness

U.S. national cyber strategy to stress Biden push on regulation

The White House wants expanded requirements for private companies that operate in critical infrastructure sectors

January 5, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. EST
A coming national cyber strategy builds on the first-ever oil and gas pipeline regulations imposed last year by the Biden administration after a hack of one of the countries largest pipelines. (Jon Elswick/AP)
7 min

The Biden administration is set to unveil a national strategy that for the first time calls for comprehensive cybersecurity regulation of the nation’s critical infrastructure, explicitly recognizing that years of a voluntary approach have failed to secure the nation against cyberattacks, according to senior administration officials.

The strategy builds on the first-ever oil and gas pipeline regulations imposed last year by the administration after a hack of one of the country’s largest pipelines led to a temporary shutdown, causing long lines at gas stations and fears of a fuel shortage. The attack on Colonial Pipeline by Russian-speaking criminals elevated ransomware to an issue of national security.