US Cyber Ops pause may boost Russian cybercrime, experts warn
Suspension of cyber operations against Russia may contribute to increasing cybercrime and losses both for US companies and individuals.
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Suspension of cyber operations against Russia may contribute to increasing cybercrime and losses both for US companies and individuals, experts say.
In just a week, Donald Trump’s administration made several moves dramatically changing its long-term stance on Russia.
Aside from pausing sharing intelligence with Ukraine and suspending military aid for the war-torn country, the US reportedly stopped Cyber Command’s operations against Russia, whose hackers over the years have attacked a number of US companies and governmental institutions.
Several news outlets reported on the changes regarding Cyber Command with confirmations from senior officials, even though the Pentagon later appeared to be softening its stance, according to Bloomberg.
If cyber operations against Russia are discontinued, the move may have implications for many Americans, says Miguel Fornés, a cybersecurity expert at Surfshark.
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He highlights that many cyberattacks against the US, especially ransomware, have been traced back to Russian actors, leading to data breaches, financial losses, and disruptions to essential services such as healthcare and energy networks.
“Until now, the US, alongside other top-tier nations, has actively cracked down on the infrastructure of these criminal gangs. However, the latest shift in the US raises concerns about increased vulnerabilities,” he says.
Fornés adds that reduced cybersecurity budgets may weaken national security, making critical systems and individuals more susceptible to attacks.
Sutshark’s data show that US citizens, excluding businesses, have lost almost $200 million to ransomware since 2015, with over 20,000 affected. The average financial loss per victim has surged from $661 in 2015 to $21,112 in 2023.
With the US pausing operations, Russian ransomware gangs may inflict greater damage.
According to Fornes, political narratives can often shape public perception of cyber threats, leading to overestimating or underestimating the country’s capabilities in cyber defense.
“Misjudging these threats could further impact the nation's preparedness and response, leaving both infrastructure and citizens at greater risk, while economic losses due to cyber crimes are soaring year after year,” he says.
Senior US officials this week confirmed that Washington has suspended operations and planning for cyber operations against Russia.
A senior official told Bloomberg that Hegseth has neither canceled nor delayed any cyber ops directed against malicious Russian targets.
Soon after, the Department of Defense further clarified the matter on its new Rapid Response account on X, saying that “there has been no stand-down order whatsoever from that priority.”