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ARTICLE · 25 AUGUST 2026

White House Authorizes Private Sector To Conduct Offensive Cyber Operations Against Foreign Criminal Groups

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Last week, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum establishing a federal program authorizing vetted private sector firms to conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign cybercriminal organizations.

GlobalGovernment, Public Sector
Vineet Gauri
Vineet Gauri
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Highlights

  • Last week, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum establishing a federal program authorizing vetted private sector firms to conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign cybercriminal organizations. 
  • Participating companies must be accepted into the program, sign contracts and work under the direction of the federal government. 
  • Companies should wait for and study detailed eligibility standards and procedures for the program, which are due to be released in mid-October.

On Aug. 12, President Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum titled “Expanding Capabilities to Combat Transnational Cyber-Enabled Crime” that establishes a federal program authorizing vetted private sector firms to conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign cybercriminal organizations under government direction.

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