Sen Wyden to White House: Cyber order should focus on critical infrastructure

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said the White House's cyberesecurity executive order should clearly state that it applies only to companies that operate critical infrastructure and not Web companies that provide online search and social networking services.

In a letter sent to White House Cybersecurity Coordinator Michael Daniel, Sen Wyden argued that "networks that facilitate commerce, provide search services or are platforms for social networking and speech, vulnerabilities are unlikely to constitute threats to our national security." For this reason, Sen Wyden said the executive order should make clear that it's focused on strengthening the security of computer networks and systems running critical infrastructure such as energy, water and transportation systems.