President Joe Biden on Thursday signed an executive order that is his final stab at shoring up America’s cyber defenses after a damaging string of cyberattacks on federal networks that US officials have blamed on Chinese and Russian operatives.

An executive order issued by President Joe Biden just days before he leaves office aims to shore up America's cyber defenses while making it easier to go after foreign countries that launch cyberattacks.

Rules include tougher standards to ensure software is more secure and bolster sanction authority against likes of Beijing.

President Joe Biden’s final days in office were all about cementing the United States’ well established lead over China in the market for artificial intelligence.