Biden signs executive order on US port cybersecurity with increased scrutiny on Chinese STS cranes

The Biden-Harris administration has issued an executive order aiming to bolster US ports’ cybersecurity, granting the US Coast Guard authority to deal with cyber threats, while increasing scrutiny on Chinese-manufactured ship-to-shore (STS) cranes.

Under the order, the US Coast Guard will now have authority to respond to malicious cyber activity by requiring vessels and waterfront facilities to mitigate cyber conditions that may endanger the safety of a vessel, facility, or harbour.

The order institutes mandatory reporting of cyber incidents endangering any vessel, harbour, port, or waterfront facility.