Defense and national security

Executive Order 14116: Amending Regulations Relating to the Safeguarding of Vessels, Harbors, Ports, and Waterfront Facilities of the United States

President: Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Modernized presidential port-security regulations so the Coast Guard could address cyber incidents and other threats to vessels, harbors, ports and waterfront facilities.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 14116 still in effect? Yes. In effect; Coast Guard cyber-security rule implemented.

What does Executive Order 14116 do?

The Coast Guard received amended authority to inspect, restrict access and control movements when port-security conditions justified it.

Administration position: The order’s findings and policy rationale were the Biden administration’s positions. This guide distinguishes them from implementation records and judicial rulings.
SignedFebruary 21, 2024
Lead officialsHomeland Security and Coast Guard
Express timingEffective on signing; implementing rulemaking followed

Before and after

Before the order

Port-security regulations dating to 1950 focused principally on physical sabotage and conventional security threats.

After the order

The Coast Guard used the amended authority alongside existing statutes and issued a final maritime cyber-security rule in 2025. No express revocation or direct merits litigation was located.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Coast GuardPrevent access, inspect and control movements when security requiresAs necessary
Homeland SecurityAdminister amended 33 CFR part 6 authorityOngoing

What happened next

EO 14116 signed.

The amendments took effect.

Coast Guard published its maritime cyber-security final rule.