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

President Donald Trump has signed a memo aimed at empowering federal law enforcement to utilize cyber tools against transnational criminal organizations that target Americans across foreign borders. The White House's fact sheet explains that the National Security Presidential Memorandum directs the administration to utilize private sector innovation and capabilities to conduct these cyber operations under U.S. government direction.

The memo cites ransomware attacks, financial frauds, and other crimes orchestrated by foreign-based criminal organizations as examples. It encourages private sector companies to collaborate with other private entities and federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies to gather threat information and propose cyber operations.

The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with creating a program under the National Coordination Center to conduct specific cyber operations against these targeted organizations. Under federal supervision, participating companies will conduct cyber surveillance and cyber effects operations, which can manipulate, disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy information systems and networks.

Companies must maintain a bond or escrow of at least $1 million. While private sector involvement in cyber operations against criminal targets is not new, it has raised concerns about potential escalation, unintended consequences, and inter-agency coordination challenges.