Trump Authorizes Private Cyberattacks
A Trump memo lets approved U.S. firms conduct cyberattacks on foreign criminal networks.
The reporting
President Donald Trump signed an Aug. 12 national security presidential memorandum authorizing vetted U.S. private companies to conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign cybercriminal groups that target Americans. The directive orders the Homeland Security Task Force’s National Coordination Center to create a program using private-sector capabilities under federal direction, control and oversight. The operations can include cyber tools to surveil and disrupt transnational criminal networks involved in ransomware, scams and fraud. The policy moves some activity historically handled by U.S. law enforcement, intelligence and military agencies into government-approved private participation.
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