US memo lets private firms run offensive cyber operations

This article was published on August 14, 2026 A presidential memorandum lets vetted private companies run offensive cyber operations against foreign criminal groups, under federal direction. Groups that are part of a foreign government, or working wholly at its direction, are excluded. Donald Trump signed the memorandum on 12 August and the White House published it that night. It runs to five sections. A National Coordination Center creates and manages the programme. Two Program Executive Directors oversee it. The Attorney General designates one, and the Secretary of Homeland Security designates the other. Section 1 sets out the reasoning. Transnational criminal organisations “pose a growing threat to American citizens, businesses, and national security”, the memorandum states. It declares a policy of using all instruments of national power, “including the innovative capabilities of the private sector”. It also says American businesses’ capabilities “have historically been underutilized” in disrupting criminal networks. The accompanying fact sheet puts figures to it. American consumers lost $20.8bn to cyber-enabled crime in 2025. It states that 73% of US adults have experienced onl