Trump memo authorizes private sector role in cyber offense

President Trump signed a presidential memo marking the first time the U.S. government has authorized private security firms and private sector entities to carry out offensive cyber attacks and assist in cyber offenses against overseas cybercriminals and transnational criminal groups.

• Presidential memo authorizes private security firms to hack overseas cybercriminals.
• This is the first time the US government has permitted private entities to perform offensive cyber attacks.
• President Trump signed a memo allowing private sector firms to aid U.S. cyber offenses.
• The program targets transnational criminal groups via the National Coordination Center.