US Government Halts Covert Cyber Operations Against a Nation
A senior US official informed CNN that the United States has paused all offensive cyber operations and planning directed at Russia. This suspension is considered a significant setback, as the planning and execution of such operations require time and thorough research. The concern is that this pause in offensive cyber operations against Russia could leave the US more vulnerable to potential cyberattacks from Moscow, which boasts a skilled group of hackers capable of disrupting critical US infrastructure and gathering sensitive intelligence.
The halt in operations and planning by US Cyber Command, the military’s unit responsible for offensive and defensive cyber activities, coincides with the Trump administration’s efforts to establish a broader understanding with Russia amidst Moscow’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance expressed criticism towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in the Oval Office, creating uncertainty in the US-Ukraine relationship.
A senior defense official emphasized the paramount importance of the safety of military personnel in all operations, including those in the cyber domain, and refrained from discussing specific cyber intelligence, plans, or operations due to security concerns. The suspension of planning activities related to Russia by Cyber Command was initially reported by The Record.
Former Cyber Command official Jason Kikta noted that pausing potentially destabilizing actions for negotiation purposes, including cyber-effects operations, is not uncommon for the Pentagon. However, he highlighted the risk of offensive options becoming outdated and ineffective if planning activities are halted. Kikta underscored the importance of regularly updating planning and maintaining access to prevent losing critical information or overlooking significant changes.
Both current and former US officials acknowledge that Russia and the US are engaged in ongoing confrontations in cyberspace. The Kremlin views cyberspace as a means to gain an advantage over the US by infiltrating critical infrastructure and attempting to influence US elections. Conversely, American military and intelligence hackers have increasingly targeted Russian cybercriminals and intelligence agents in recent years.
Since the 2016 election interference, where Russia utilized bots, trolls, and hackers to influence the election outcome, Moscow has reportedly employed similar tactics in subsequent US presidential elections. Cyber Command was established over a decade ago partly in response to threats from Russia and other foreign adversaries. The command has evolved into a sizable force of computer specialists tasked with both offensive and defensive cyber missions.
Based at Fort Meade, Maryland, alongside the National Security Agency, Cyber Command serves as a key instrument of US power projection. Specialists from the command have been deployed to assist allies worldwide in defending against cyber threats posed by criminals and foreign operatives. Notably, Cyber Command provided assistance to Ukraine in December 2021 ahead of Russia’s invasion to bolster their cyber defenses.
Even months after Russia’s invasion, Cyber Command remains actively engaged in cyber operations to safeguard US interests and counter threats from foreign adversaries.
In the effort to assist Ukraine in protecting itself against cyberattacks, it was noted that despite the changes in planning at Cyber Command, another significant federal cybersecurity agency has stated that it is not adjusting its stance. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which is the primary civilian agency responsible for safeguarding federal networks from hacking attempts, declared on Sunday night that its primary objective is to defend against all cyber threats to US Critical Infrastructure, including those originating from Russia. The agency firmly stated that there has been no alteration in its posture, in response to reports in the media suggesting a shift in focus towards non-Russia related threats. It emphasized that any reporting suggesting otherwise is false and detrimental to national security. This information has been updated with additional details. To access more CNN news and newsletters, you can sign up for an account at CNN.com.
