Obama Gets New Power Over the Web During Cyber Attack

Obama Gets New Power Over the Web During Cyber Attack

US President Barack Obama now has the power to shut down parts of the internet during cyber attack based on a new senate legislation. However, the law could be revised relative to the interest of the private sector, as claimed by a congressional staff member affiliated with the legislation.
 

The bill allows Obama to "declare a cybersecurity emergency and order the limitation or shutdown of Internet traffic to and from any compromised Federal Government or United States critical infrastructure information system or network." 

 

Sponsors of the legislation aimed to identify a highest authority over US cyberinfratructure.

 

"We were trying to state the obvious: In an extreme cyberemergency or attack, the president ultimately has constitutional authority to protect the country," explained Senate Commerce chief of staff Ellen Doneski, one of the brains behind the legislation.