President Donald Trump signed a national security presidential memorandum on Wednesday authorizing vetted private companies to carry out offensive cyber-attacks against foreign criminal groups and transnational criminal organizations.
This order marks the first time the U.S. government has authorized the private sector to perform cyber attacks, sweeping away decades of cybersecurity policy that previously prohibited private companies from conducting offensive cyber operations or "hack back" attacks.
The memorandum, titled Expanding Capabilities to Combat Transnational Cyber-Enabled Crime, establishes a framework for private firms to collaborate with government agencies. These operations will be conducted under the direction, control, and authority of the U.S. government, expanding the scope of national security operations that were previously conducted largely by government agencies.
The Homeland Security Task Force’s National Coordination Center is responsible for building the program, which will involve executive directors from the Justice Department and Homeland Security.