July 13, 2019

The Trump administration is sending aggressive messages about the United States' willingness to hack its adversaries — alarming lawmakers and experts who fear he’s provoking a global cyber-conflict that the U.S. may not be prepared to face.

A U.S. cyberattack last month on Iranian military and intelligence targets was one of the most prominent signs of the new approach, which followed a reported effort to implant hostile computer code in Russia's electric grid and a temporary takedown of a notorious Kremlin-backed troll operation last fall.

To supporters, the tactics are a sign that the U.S. may finally be getting out of its defensive crouch in cyberspace — as advocated by hawks like National Security Adviser John Bolton.

Read more:

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/13/trump-cybersecurity-defense-1415650