Biden admin, U.S. ports prep for cyberattacks as nationwide infrastructure is targeted

Cranes rest idle while waiting for a ship to dock to remove cargo containers in Los Angeles Harbor on March 14, 2024.Genaro Molina | Los Angeles Times | Getty ImagesA top Biden cybersecurity official urged the nation's ports in a joint call on Wednesday to have their data encrypted, rapidly patch any vulnerabilities in critical systems, and have a well-trained cyber team as hacks targeting key U.S. infrastructure increase.Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, cited President Biden's signing in February of an executive order to strengthen the cybersecurity of U.S. ports. The nation's port system is the main point of entry for trade, employs 31 million people, and generates over $5.4 trillion for the U.S. economy."More needs to be done across the ports, and supply chain," said Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka, who has been fighting for years for a robust federal cybersecurity plan. "The executive order has elevated the discu...