The Trump administration is launching a new program that will allow private firms to perform cyberattacks against foreign criminals, as reported earlier by Bloomberg. The private firms would operate “under the control and oversight” of the federal government, giving them permission to surveil and disrupt criminal networks, according to a presidential memorandum published on Wednesday.
The Trump admin will start letting private firms launch international cyberattacks
Cybersecurity companies will operate ‘under the control and oversight’ of the federal government.
The Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security will oversee the private firms, which must meet requirements in “technical proficiency, proven performance of cyber operations, facility security,” and more. Companies in the program must hold a bond or escrow of at least $1 million that they’ll forfeit if they don’t comply with their contractual agreement. The memorandum also says private firms will only hack groups that are “not an institutional part of a foreign government or wholly operated under a foreign government’s direction.”
