(The Hosting News) – Cybersecurity has been made a top focus of the U.S. government in recent years. Last year, U.S. D.O.D. agency DARPA even went so far as to reportedly create a testing range to protect against cyber threats. And on Thursday, U.S. President Barack Obama weighed in on the issue in a pretty meaningful way.

The top U.S. government executive wrote an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal titled “Taking the Cyberattack Threat Seriously.” In it, he urged Capital Hill to “pass comprehensive cybersecurity legislation.”

“In a future conflict, an adversary unable to match our military supremacy on the battlefield might seek to exploit our computer vulnerabilities here at home,” warned the President.

“Taking down vital banking systems could trigger a financial crisis. The lack of clean water or functioning hospitals could spark a public health emergency. And as we’ve seen in past blackouts, the loss of electricity can bring businesses, cities and entire regions to a standstill,” Obama continued.

To help with cyber preparedness, the President would like to enable the government to more easily share information pertaining to threats. In addition to that, the Commander-in-Chief elaborated on a vision for entities to work together to guard against threats. “Cybersecurity standards would be developed in partnership between government and industry. For the majority of critical infrastructure companies already meeting these standards, nothing more would be expected,” he proposed.

The President also said companies could be provided with a “wide range of innovative products and services available in the marketplace.”

Cyberattacks have proven effective. Earlier this year, it was reported that hackers successfully infiltrated Iran’s oil industry, forcing the country to temporarily pull the plug on its network.

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