White House taps security firms for offensive hack-back operations

A new White House memo signed by U.S. President Donald Trump instructs the National Coordination Center (NCC) to establish a program that would allow private security companies to apply for approval to hack foreign cybercrime organizations.

Signed on Wednesday, the national security presidential memorandum (NSPM) enables the NCC (part of the Homeland Security Task Force) to leverage the U.S. private sector's capabilities to conduct cyber operations targeting transnational criminal organizations under the control and authority of the U.S. Government.

"The NSPM directs the Program's Executive Directors and the Homeland Security Council to create rigorous procedures for the review and conduct of these limited cyber operations at the direction of the U.S. Government, ensuring strict compliance with the U.S. Constitution and laws, as well as applicable international agreements," according to a fact sheet published yesterday.