US President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday aimed at strengthening cybersecurity in US ports, particularly given risks associated with Chinese-made cranes.
"America's ports employ 31 million Americans, contribute $5.4 trillion to our economy, and are the main domestic point of entry for cargo entering the United States," Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology, told reporters.
"The continuity of their operations has a clear and direct impact on the success of our country, our economy and our national security," she said.
The order establishes "minimum cybersecurity requirements" and aims to improve the reporting of incidents by ports and port facilities.
The federal government is additionally supporting the manufacture of US cranes and is investing $20 billion in port infrastructure over the next five years.
"Chinese threats are one key threat that this executive order... will help protect ports against," Neuberger said.
Rear Admiral Jay Vann, commander of the United States Coast Guard Cyber Command, told the press briefing that Chinese-manufactured ship-to-shore cranes make up the largest share of the global market and account for nearly 80 percent of cranes at US ports.
He said the coastguard has already assessed the cybersecurity of 92 Chinese-made cranes out of the "over 200" installed at American ports.
