US Government Mobilizes Private Firms for Cyber Warfare, Permitting Cyber Attacks

The U.S. government is introducing a system to mobilize private companies for offensive cyber operations against foreign cybercrime organizations.

This has been interpreted as a 21st-century cyber version of the 19th-century "letter of marque" system, under which governments authorized private vessels to engage in piracy against ships of rival nations.

According to a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) signed and released by U.S. President Donald Trump on the 12th (local time), private companies will be allowed to conduct cyber attack operations against "transnational criminal organizations" (TCOs) operating abroad and targeting Americans.

However, these private firms must remain under the direct control and supervision of the federal government.

They are required to maintain a bond or escrow account of at least 1 million dollars, which translates to approximately 1.42 billion won in Korean currency.

According to White House briefing materials, this public-private cooperative program will be established under the National Coordination Center (NCC) of the interagency Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF).

The government plans to appoint two directors—one each from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—to oversee it.

Offensive cyber operations against foreign entities have traditionally been conducted directly by government agencies.

Bloomberg reported that this new measure enabling the mobilization of private firms marks a significant policy shift.

According to Bloomberg, the Trump administration has spent months preparing to legalize the execution of cyber attack operations by private companies.

Controversy surrounds the move, with concerns that such activities could lead to unintended consequences and escalate tensions.

On the other hand, proponents argue that leveraging a pool of private experts in addition to government agencies can expand the nation's capacity to respond to cyber threats.

Ari Redbord, head of government affairs at blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs, described the measure as issuing "cyber letters of marque."

Letters of marque were permits implemented by numerous European countries from the 13th to the mid-19th century, officially delegating naval combat rights to private parties at the state level.

Private ships issued with letters of marque were called "privateers." They were permitted to attack or capture enemy vessels and pirate ships, keeping captured goods as legitimate spoils of war—effectively engaging in government-sanctioned piracy.

Although largely obsolete, the authority to grant letters of marque remains explicitly listed among the powers of Congress in Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution under the phrase "grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal."

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.