Trump signs executive order to protect U.S. Bulk-Power System in order to prevent cyber attacks from China, Russia

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on May 1 to protect the U.S. Bulk-Power system from cyber and other attacks. The order could stop imports of certain products coming from China and Russia. The U.S. bulk-power system provides the electricity that supports the country’s national defense, vital emergency services, critical infrastructure, economy, and daily life including households and companies. Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette said Trump’s latest executive order, “Securing the United States Bulk-Power System,” will make it more difficult for foreign adversaries to target U.S. critical infrastructure. It prohibits federal agencies and U.S. persons from obtaining goods, products, and materials for the bulk-power system from companies or anyone situated within foreign adversaries where the transaction poses an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety and security of U.S. citizens. Former Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats expressed in the “Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community 2019” report that “China, Russia and other countries present a persistent cyber espionage threat and a growing attack threat to our core military and critical infrastructure system.” The Ministry of Energy said, “Current government procurement rules often result in contracts being awarded to the lowest-cost bids, a vulnerability that can be exploited by those with malicious intent.”