Obama signs order for first sanctions against cyber hackers
President Obama has signed an executive order that would allow the Treasury Department to set financial sanctions against hackers, both international and local, who threaten national security.
The order is thought to be in response to last year’s North Korean cyber-attack on Sony, which ultimately caused the brand to pull the release of the movie, ‘The Interview.’ The President questioned this decision, saying that it may give future hackers the wrong idea.
"This Executive Order authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State, to impose sanctions on individuals or entities that engage in malicious cyber-enabled activities that create a significant threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economic health or financial stability of the United States," he said in a statement.
"We’re giving notice to those who pose significant threats to our security or economy" —Obama: http://t.co/5ISaVdFxN0 pic.twitter.com/itjQAgN56f
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 1, 2015
In order to place sanctions against a hacker, the secretary of the treasury would first have to consult with the secretary of state and attorney general.