Trump Memo Paves Way for Private Sector Cyber Strikes on Foreign Crime Gangs
President Trump signed a memo authorizing a framework for private firms to conduct US-supervised cyber operations against foreign criminal groups.
President Donald Trump has signed a national security presidential memorandum directing federal law enforcement to expand its use of cyber tools against transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) that target Americans from abroad.
The White House said the directive aims to "leverage the capability and innovation of the private sector" in conducting these operations, which will be carried out under the direction, control, and authority of the US government.
The memorandum specifically cites ransomware attacks, financial fraud, and other crimes perpetrated by foreign-based criminal networks as the primary threats.
Under the new framework, private companies will be encouraged to enter into agreements with each other and with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies. These partnerships are intended to gather threat intelligence on TCOs and propose cyber operations to counter them.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through its Homeland Security Task Force's National Coordination Center, will establish a program to conduct specific cyber operations aimed at disrupting foreign criminal groups. The program will be jointly overseen by DHS and the Department of Justice.
Once vetted, participating companies will operate under federal supervision and may conduct "cyber surveillance operations" and "cyber effects operations" against designated targets. The memo defines cyber effects as including the manipulation, disruption, denial, degradation, or destruction of information systems, networks, or related infrastructure.
As a safeguard, participating companies will be required to maintain a bond or escrow of at least $1 million.
The concept of involving private firms in offensive cyber actions is not new, but it has historically been controversial due to concerns over escalation, unintended consequences, and inter-agency coordination. Neither DHS nor the White House immediately provided additional details about the program's implementation.