In the spring of 2015, faced with external cyberattacks on the US of increasing frequency and severity, President Obama made a dramatic announcement.  

The level of hacking and cyber-espionage against the US had created an "unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy" of the country, said the President, who declared a national emergency to deal with the threat. The executive order allowed the administration to pursue sanctions against those who attacked US critical infrastructure or stole secrets.

Since then the national emergency has been extended three times (it must be reconfirmed every year), but the attacks against the US and its allies continue