Welcome to a new world of cyber warfare as President Donald Trump’s administration is now allowing private companies to conduct cyberattacks on behalf of the United States. In a memo released by the White House a short while ago, American law enforcement agencies are authorized to conduct cyberattacks against transnational criminal organizations operating abroad and attacking Americans.
They are also authorized to use the capabilities and innovations of the private sector to help carry out these cyber operations under the direction, control, and authority of the United States Government. Criminal organizations that commit ransomware attacks, online fraud, and a variety of other crimes are now being targeted.
Cyber surveillance and operations to disrupt activities, manipulate, deny, and destroy information systems and infrastructure are authorized to be carried out by private companies. The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will establish a program to conduct specific cyber operations to disrupt transnational criminal organizations with joint oversight by the Department of Justice.
Today’s action is seen as retaliation for cyberattacks on America carried out by organizations believed to be acting on behalf of an enemy country. The United States has accused several cyber attacks in the form of malware of being carried out by proxies from Russia, Iran and China. Finally, the United States is ready to carry out cyber counterattacks.
