Trump Signs Memo to Use Private Firms in Cyber Operations Against Criminal Groups

US President Donald Trump signed a national security presidential memorandum directing his administration to leverage private sector capabilities for cyber operations targeting transnational criminal organizations involved in ransomware and financial fraud. The White House stated that the memo directs the administration to "leverage the capability and innovation of the private sector to help conduct these cyber operations under the direction, control, and authority of the U.S. Government." [1]

Trump Authorizes Private Sector Role in Cyber Operations Against Criminal Groups

The memo creates a framework for vetted private companies to gather threat information on foreign TCOs and propose cyber operations, including surveillance and effects operations that can manipulate, disrupt, deny, degrade or destroy information systems and infrastructure. The White House fact sheet about the memo cited ransomware attacks, financial frauds and other crimes run by foreign-based criminal organizations, referred to in the memo as "transnational criminal organizations." [1] The memo creates a framework that encourages private sector companies to enter into agreements with other private entities, as well as federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial agencies to gather threat information on transnational criminal organizations and propose cyber operations to address those threats. [1]

Framework for Private Companies and Government Coordination

Under the supervision of the federal government, participating companies, once vetted, will conduct "cyber surveillance operations" and "cyber effects operations" against specified targets. "Cyber effects includes the potential manipulation, disruption, denial, degradation, or destruction of information systems, networks, physical or virtual infrastructure controlled by information systems, or information resident thereon," according to the memo. [1] Participating companies will have to maintain a bond or escrow of at least $1 million. [1] The idea of private sector firms participating in cyber operations against criminal and other targets is not new, and has been controversial in the past, for fears of escalation, inadvertent consequences, and inter-agency coordination issues. [1]

DHS and Justice Department Oversight of Disruption Program

The memo directs the Department of Homeland Security, through the Homeland Security Task Force's National Coordination Center, to create a program "to conduct specific cyber operations that disrupt foreign TCOs" that will be overseen by DHS and the Department of Justice. [1] DHS and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for additional details about the program. [1]

Colombia Approves Joint Anti-Drug Operations With US

Colombia authorises joint anti-drug ops with US military. [2]

Taiwan Runs Anti-Blockade Drill Amid Rising Chinese Pressure

Taiwan's armed forces carried out an anti-blockade drill during annual war games, using the navy and coast guard to simulate escorting a merchant ship, the Defense Ministry said, as China steps up its maritime pressure. [5] Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has long been concerned that Beijing could try to choke off the island with a blockade or quarantine to force it into surrender. [5] In June, China began holding what it calls "law enforcement" patrols off Taiwan's east coast. [5] The ministry said the anti-blockade escort drill used realistic combat-oriented exercises to strengthen cross-agency coordinated response and maritime defence resilience. [5] The navy worked with coast guard vessels to complete the escort and security protection duties, while a mine sweeper cleared a safe navigation channel and guided the simulated merchant vessel to port. [5] Taiwan's Coast Guard said the drill took place on Wednesday and the ports the ship was taken to were both on the east coast. [5] It said it was the first time they had worked with the navy to hold an anti-blockade drill. [5] The 10-day Han Kuang exercise kicked off last week, rehearsing various scenarios should China ever make good on threats to try to seize the island by force. [5] During a separate part of the exercise on Wednesday night, soldiers erected metal barricades, barbed-wire obstacles and concrete barriers on roads leading to a key Taipei bridge that could expect to be assaulted in any Chinese attack on the capital. [5]

Trump Switched to Decoy Plane Over Missile Threat in Turkey

US President Donald Trump was secretly moved to a smaller military aircraft after a credible and imminent threat that a shoulder-fired missile could target his plane during his return from Turkey last month. [3] The extraordinary security operation took place on July 8, the final day of Trump's visit to Ankara for the Nato summit, as tensions with Iran were running high. [3] Trump and a small group of aides were moved from the presidential aircraft to a nondescript C-32A jet using a catering truck, while the larger aircraft continued its journey carrying senior administration officials, White House staff and journalists. [3] The operation was kept secret to conceal the president's movements. [3] According to a person briefed on the matter, the Secret Service determined that the threat was credible and imminent and had little time to prepare an alternative travel plan. [3] A second source told Reuters that there was no clear operational plan by Trump's potential attackers, but there was an apparent intent to target him. [3] Trump confirmed on Tuesday that the Secret Service had ordered him to use a different aircraft. [3] Trump had travelled to the Nato summit aboard a newer Boeing 747-8 aircraft gifted by Qatar and retrofitted for US use. [3] For the return journey, however, he had publicly indicated that he would initially use the older Air Force One aircraft. [3] Trump boarded the presidential aircraft in Ankara as expected. [3] He was then secretly moved to a smaller C-32A, a modified Boeing 757 commonly used for senior US officials, through a catering truck. [3] Meanwhile, the larger aircraft departed separately with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, White House staff and the travelling press corps. [3] The operation was designed to make it appear that Trump was still aboard the presidential aircraft. [3]

What to watch next: The 10-day Han Kuang exercise continues with additional scenarios, while the new DHS program for cyber operations against foreign TCOs awaits further details from the department.