Trump Memo Empowers Private Firms to Conduct Offensive Cyber Operations

The memo creates a program, overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), that will allow vetted U.S. companies to carry out “cyber surveillance operations” and “cyber effects operations” against transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) operating abroad. Participating firms must post a surety bond or escrow of at least $1 million and will operate under supervision of the Homeland Security Task Force’s National Coordination Center (NCC).

Trump signed a memorandum on U.S. cyber operations against foreign criminal groups The Jerusalem PostNextGov

The initiative builds on a March 2026 executive order that called for “unleashing the private sector” against foreign cyber adversaries. Earlier this year, ransomware attacks on critical-infrastructure water facilities highlighted gaps in existing law-enforcement capabilities. The Trump administration argues that private-sector tools can close those gaps, especially against criminal groups that profit from ransomware, phishing, sextortion and AI-assisted impersonation scams.

Trump authorises US government to use cyber tools against foreign criminal groups

• The White House cites $20.8 billion in reported cyber-crime losses for 2025.

Trump authorises US government to use cyber tools against foreign criminal groups

• 73 percent of U.S. adults have experienced an online scam; 98 percent believe scams pose a threat to Americans.

Trump authorises US government to use cyber tools against foreign criminal groups

• Former FBI director Christopher Wray has warned that Chinese government-backed hackers outnumber FBI cyber personnel 50-to-1.

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• Companies must escrow or bond at least $1 million before participation.

Trump signed a memorandum on U.S. cyber operations against foreign criminal groups

Former Army officer Andrew Schoka warned that “the real risk is that you end up with a bunch of cyber privateers running around without any clear coordination or direction at the federal level.” Former Cyber Command official Jason Kikta argued that the memo adding that “there is no clear oversight or review process on the determinations that will be made by unnamed political appointees.”

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• “The real risk is that you end up with a bunch of cyber privateers running around without any clear coordination or direction at the federal level,” — Andrew Schoka, a former Army officer at US Cyber Command

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• “Having private sector help to counter cyber criminals allows the US to disrupt more groups and frees up agencies like FBI and Cyber Command to focus more on countering nation states like China,” — Cynthia Kaiser, a former senior FBI cyber official

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• “But the devil is in the details,” — Cynthia Kaiser, a former senior FBI cyber official

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• “There is no clear oversight or review process on the determinations that will be made by unnamed political appointees,” — Kikta, a former Cyber Command official

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Program executive directors from DHS and DOJ must draft screening standards—including technical proficiency, facility security and personnel vetting—within 60 days of the memo’s signing. The directors will produce a status report for the National Cyber Director and the Assistant to the President for Policy and Homeland Security. The NCC is also tasked with establishing procedures to ensure compliance with the U.S. Constitution, domestic law and international agreements before any operation is launched.

NextGovTrump authorises US government to use cyber tools against foreign criminal groups Trump signed a memorandum on U.S. cyber operations against foreign criminal groups