The U.S. government will allow private companies to hack foreign criminal organizations, as part of a new program aimed at expanding the country's ability to disrupt the cybercrime activities of those groups.

President Donald Trump signed a memorandum instructing the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to create the program, in which verified companies will be able to spy on or sabotage the operations of criminal groups. The administration is seeking to combat cybercrime schemes that cost tens of billions of dollars a year.

It is the largest expansion of the private sector's role in offensive cyber operations against U.S. adversaries, and it blurs the line between government foreign policy activities and commercial businesses. Although the focus is on criminal gangs and not nation-states, the program is the biggest step toward so-called corporate hackback.

Many cybersecurity experts criticize the concept for escalation risks and collateral damage, and warn that companies could expose themselves to foreign military retaliation. The White House gave departments 60 days to set procedures, including engagement standards and deconflict mechanisms with the military and intelligence community.

Source: [Cybersecurity Dive](https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/us-private-companies-gangs-cyberattacks-offensive-operations/827805/). Image: Cybersecurity Dive.