Trump signed memo to allow use of cyber tools to target transnational criminal organisations, White House says

On August 12, United States President Donald Trump signed a memo aimed at empowering federal law enforcement to utilize cyber tools against transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) operating in foreign jurisdictions to target Americans. The memorandum, a national security presidential directive, seeks to leverage the private sector's innovation and capabilities in conducting such cyber operations under the guidance, control, and authority of the US government.

The White House highlighted ransomware attacks, financial frauds, and other crimes orchestrated by TCOs in its fact sheet.

The memo establishes a framework encouraging private sector entities to collaborate with other private entities and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies to gather threat information about TCOs and propose cyber operations to counter these threats. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through its National Coordination Center, is tasked with creating a program to execute specific cyber operations against foreign TCOs.

Once vetted, participating companies will conduct cyber surveillance and cyber effects operations, which involve manipulating, disrupting, denying, degrading, or destroying information systems and networks.

Participating companies must maintain a bond or escrow fund of at least $1 million as stipulated in the memo. While the concept of private sector involvement in cyber operations against criminal targets is not novel and has faced past controversies regarding escalation, unintended consequences, and inter-agency coordination issues, the Department of Homeland Security and the White House have not provided further details on the program.