Overview
- The White House signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum on Wednesday directing the Homeland Security Task Force’s National Coordination Center to stand up a program that lets vetted U.S. companies conduct government‑approved 'cyber surveillance' and 'cyber effects' operations.
- Program oversight will be led by co‑executive directors from the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security and requires written approval, multi‑agency deconfliction and federal control before any company may act.
- Participating firms must undergo rigorous vetting, sign contracts with DOJ or DHS, maintain at least $1 million in bond or escrow, and follow rules that bar operations creating 'critical outcomes' such as loss of life or actions that would rise to a use of force.
- Authorized activity includes covert access to collect intelligence and disruptive actions that can manipulate, degrade or destroy targeted information systems, while analysts warn the plan raises risks of misattribution, diplomatic escalation and legal challenges.
- The memorandum builds on earlier 2025–2026 U.S. cyber directives and laws and leaves key implementation details and classified targeting criteria to be published in coming weeks or months, where courts, allies and industry scrutiny are likely to shape how the program operates.