Joe Biden warns businesses against Russian cyberattacks, cites ‘evolving’ intel

United States President Joe Biden on Monday asked businesses to beef up their precautionary measures against possible Russian cyberattacks. He said that his appeal is based on “evolving intelligence that the Russian government is exploring options for potential cyberattacks.”

Biden asked business owners in America to invest as much as they can in protecting their operations from such cyberattacks. He also tagged this as a “patriotic obligation.”

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The President, while speaking at the Business Roundtable CEO quarterly meeting in Washington, “We are prepared to help you, as I said, with any tools and expertise we possess, if you are ready to do that.”

He added, “But it is your decision as to the steps you will take and your responsibility to take them, not ours”, according to reports from Associated Press. He also said that the possible attacks may be a response to the “unprecedented economic costs we have imposed on Russia alongside our allies and partners.”

Anne Neuberger, Biden administration’s top cybersecurity advisor, said that even though there is no direct intelligence on a Russian cyberattack, an uptick in “preparatory activity.”

Neuberger said Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine are ongoing, though she did not provide specifics. She said the Biden administration has made clear there will be consequences if Russia engages with America in cyberspace.

“We are not looking for a conflict with Russia. If Russia initiates a cyberattack against the United States, we will respond,” she said.

Also Read: Facebook, Twitter letting users lock their profiles for security amid Ukraine crisis

United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has launched a “Shields Up” campaign before Ukraine was invaded. The campaign aimed at helping companies strengthen their defenses and has urged companies to back up their data, turn on multifactor authentication and take other steps to improve cyber hygiene.

According to reports from NBC, Biden was given the option to carry out cyberattacks against Moscow in order to disrupt the invasion of Ukraine.