Obama improves security for consumer data

President Obama signed an executive order on Friday to strengthen security on federally issued credit cards and government payment systems, part of a push to protect Americans from identity theft and fraud after several large-scale data security breaches this year. “You should be able to buy the things that you need without risking your identity, your credit score or your savings,” Mr. Obama said during an appearance at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before signing the directive. The order requires government agencies and offices to upgrade the technologies they use to protect consumer data. That might mean using payment terminals and cards that have difficult-to-clone microchips and that use personal identification number verification. The government issues credit cards to federal employees to cover work expenses and distributes some federal benefits, like Social Security, pension and veterans’ payments, using debit cards issued to recipients.