WASHINGTON—President Biden on Wednesdayissued a new directive...

WASHINGTON—President Biden on Wednesdayissued a new directive instructing federal agencies to develop voluntarycybersecurity goals for companies that operate U.S. critical infrastructure, amove that came as senior officials said the administration was exploring thepossibility of pursuing mandatory standards.

The effort is the latest by the Bidenadministration attempting to shore up the nation’s defenses against disruptivecyberattacks, an area the president and his senior aides repeatedly have saidis a top national security threat especially after several recent high-profile ransomwareattacks disrupted cornerstones of American life and business.