President Obama told ABC News last Tuesday that there has been a steady increase in the threat to cyber security from other nations and from criminals. He said the United States has taken part in what he called “tough talk” with China and other nations.

Last week, a Chinese foreign ministry official said China is open to talks. But the official said China is a victim, and not responsible for computer crimes.

In February, President Obama signed an executive order dealing with cyber security. The order directs American agencies to improve information sharing on cyber threats. However, such orders do not carry the power of law.

A Senate bill on cyber security last year failed to get enough votes to pass. Some business groups and privacy rights activists expressed opposition to the measure. A new cyber security bill has been introduced in the House.

The Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, spoke to Senators last week about cyber attacks. He noted that America’s biggest national security threat could come now from a computer keyboard instead of a terrorist bomb.