Obama signs executive order to boost cyber security

 　　WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday signed an executive order to boost cyber security of critical infrastructure¹ by strengthening cooperation between the government and the private sector².

　　The executive order increased information sharing, as well as joint³ development and implementation⁴ of cyber security practices between the government and industry partners, according to information released by the White House.

　　The order expands the voluntary Enhanced Cybersecurity Services program, enabling near real time sharing of cyber threat information to assist "critical infrastructure companies" in their cyber protection efforts, and providing both classified and unclassified threat and attack information to companies that are so vital that the incapacity or destruction of their systems and assets would have a debilitating⁵ impact on the country.

　　Through the order, Obama directed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to lead the development of a framework of cyber security practices to reduce cyber risks to critical infrastructure.

　　NIST will work collaboratively with industry to develop the framework, relying on existing international standards, practices and procedures that have proven to be effective.

　　The order also includes calls for a review of existing cyber security regulations. Regulatory agencies will use the Cybersecurity Framework to assess their cyber security regulations, and determine if existing requirements are sufficient, and whether any existing regulations can be eliminated as no longer effective.

　　To complement⁶ the executive order, Obama also issued a Presidential Policy Directive, directing the Department of Homeland Security to clarify the functional⁷ relationships within the government related to critical infrastructure security, and find ways to improve public-private partnership⁸ on the issue, as well as how that partnership can be effectively carried out.

　　The executive order came out after the U.S. Congress failed last year to move forward on cyber security legislation.

　　Senior officials, especially Defense⁹ Secretary Leon Panetta, have repeatedly warned the dangers of cyber attacks, and have called for tools to be given to the national security community to fight such menace.

1 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

2 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

3 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

4 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

5 debilitating   

a.使衰弱的

参考例句：

• The debilitating disease made him too weak to work. 这个令他衰弱的病，使他弱到没有办法工作。
• You may soon leave one debilitating condition or relationship forever. 你即将永远地和这段霉运说拜拜了。

6 complement   

n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足

参考例句：

• The two suggestions complement each other.这两条建议相互补充。
• They oppose each other also complement each other.它们相辅相成。

7 functional   

adj.为实用而设计的，具备功能的，起作用的

参考例句：

• The telephone was out of order,but is functional now.电话刚才坏了，但现在可以用了。
• The furniture is not fancy,just functional.这些家具不是摆着好看的，只是为了实用。

8 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

9 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。