Obama Cyber Order Gives U.S. Lamakers Cover on Standards

President Barack Obama’s order to boost U.S. cybersecurity amid reports of widespread Chinese hacking provides cover to lawmakers who oppose government regulation to improve computer defenses.

While the president portrayed his move as countering Congress’s inaction, his cybersecurity standards for companies operating vital national infrastructure are voluntary, not mandatory as called for by an Obama-backed Senate bill that failed last year. Still, the order may let Democrats and Republicans declare standards a moot point.