President Donald Trump signs cybersecurity strategy requiring federal agencies to work with state and local governments, plus private businesses.
WASHINGTON – The federal government has more authority to go on offense against foreign adversaries under a new cybersecurity strategy signed by President Donald Trump, officials said Thursday.
"We will respond offensively as well as defensively," national security adviser John Bolton said.
Bolton would not specify what kinds of operations or which adversaries – it's classified, he said – but said the goal is to deter attacks.
The plan directs agencies across the government to periodically review and update defenses against cyberattacks. It also requires federal agencies to work with state and local governments, as well as private businesses, to improve the common defense against cyberwarfare.
"We are going to do a lot of things offensively. Our adversaries need to know that," Bolton said.
The new strategy ends rules the Barack Obama administration imposed on offensive activity, Bolton said.
The Obama policy – which was classified but became public because of leaks by former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden – required the military to consult with the State Department, intelligence community and other agencies before mounting a cyberattack. One reason was to make sure an attack did not interfere with intelligence-gathering operations.
The new policy would presumably give the military freer rein.
In recent years, the United States has accused China of hacking into government personnel files and Russia of using digital methods to influence the 2016 presidential election.
The United States and its allies "are under attack every day in cyberspace," Bolton said.
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