White House holding 1st security summit after high-profile hacks

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A White House executive order is expected in the next 24 hours that would require the government and private companies to share digital threat data.

President Obama convenes the first White House Security Summit on Friday after numerous high-profile computer system hacks and attacks in the past year alone. From credit card companies, retailers and large corporations to the military and government agencies, federal law enforcement considers this a national security priority.

"Our adversaries are getting more sophisticated and more determined and more plentiful," Obama said.

Last month at the National Cybersecurity Center, President Obama announced the White House summit that will be held at Stanford University in northern California.

The day-long event will bring together corporate and industry leaders, law enforcement experts and academics who will address the digital threat.

"Our financial systems, power grids, pipelines health care systems run on, networks connected to the internet, so this is a matter of public safety and public health," Obama said.

Reuters is reporting that some attendees expect President Obama to unveil his cybersecurity executive order that would require private companies to share more information about digital threats with the government.

Simultaneously, the Secret Service and FBI will have cybersecurity events in Chicago and other cities, where corporate officials and others could learn about the digital sharing initiative.

One of the topics at Friday's White House summit is entitled "Moving Beyond the Password." For all of us - and for corporations - the golden rule of protection has been change your password frequently, but now that may not be enough.

Cybersecurity is a concern not just for major digital networks, but for all of us who depends on the most common household electronics.

Tonight on ABC7 at 10 p.m., the I-Team will reveal digital backdoors that could be leaving your family vulnerable to attack, and the easy access that hackers and other criminals have to your most valuable possessions.