Executive Order: "Blocking the Property of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities"

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April 2, 2015

    An executive order went into effect on April 1, 2015 that sanctions individuals outside of the United States who pose a cyber-threat to national security, foreign policy, and the economy.  The Secretary of the Treasury along with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State will designate individuals that use cyberspace to threaten the United States infrastructure, computer networks, economic resources, and other information that impacts the U.S. economy.  The executive order specifically expresses concern over the “misappropriation of funds or economic resources, trade secrets, personal identifiers, or financial information for commercial or competitive advantage or private financial gain”.  Additionally, the executive order was designed to stop the foreign cyber-threats from profiting from stolen information.

    President Obama stated, “Cyber threats pose one of the most serious economic and national security challenges to the United States, and my administration is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to confront them.  This executive order offers a targeted tool for countering the most significant cyber threats that we face.”  The order from the White House follows the November 2014 cyber hack of Sony Pictures, which was traced to North Korea.  The company was about to release a controversial film entitled “The Interview”, which parodied political atmosphere of the North Korean government.  The President also announced, “This executive order supports the administration’s broader strategy by adding a new authority to combat the most serious malicious cyber threats that we face.”

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