Citing a “rapidly growing threat from cyberattacks,” President Obama said last night that he has issued an executive order that would strengthen the computerized defenses of the United States. The order will increase information sharing and coöperation among government agencies and companies, and establish standards for responding to threats. Both are considered important components of effective cyber defense.

“We know hackers steal people’s identities and infiltrate private e-mails. We know foreign countries and companies swipe our corporate secrets. Now our enemies are also seeking the ability to sabotage our power grid, our financial institutions, our air traffic control systems,” Obama said in his State of the Union address.