Over the past few days, several media outlets have reported that Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, has suspended the Pentagon’s offensive cyber operations against Russia. This announcement, initially revealed by The Record and relayed by Le Monde Informatique and Radio-Canada among others, came as a surprise to many observers, as up until now, the United States seemed intent on strengthening its capabilities to counter growing digital threats.
An unexpected stop for the Pentagon?
According to information reported by Radio-Canada (source), the Pentagon has asked US Cyber Command, its key cybersecurity unit, to suspend certain targeted actions against Russian groups deemed to pose a threat. However, other government agencies such as the CIA (Central Inteligence Agency) or CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security) would not be affected by this measure.
For several national security experts, such a suspension could be problematic. They believe it would give adversaries the opportunity to strengthen their defenses, discover new vulnerabilities and better prepare for future attacks. On the international stage, the decision could also be seen as a sign of excessive caution, or even strategic retreat, on the part of the United States.
The consequences of a suspension
If this suspension were to be confirmed and maintained, several scenarios could result:
- A greater advantage for Russia: deprived of the pressure of American offensives, Russia would have more time to correct its vulnerabilities, perfect its systems and develop new tools for hacking or disinformation.
- Reduced American deterrence and credibility: by unilaterally ceasing its cyberattacks, Washington could appear less firm in the eyes of its adversaries. This could encourage other powers or hackers to put American cybersecurity to the test.
- Possibility of asymmetric escalation: paradoxically, a pause on the American side could motivate certain malicious actors to step up their operations (espionage, hacking, disinformation campaigns), taking advantage of the apparent inertia to gain ground.
- Internal disagreements: within the Pentagon and the intelligence services, certain officials may contest this decision. Accustomed to a firmer approach, they would consider this withdrawal dangerous for the global defense posture of the United States.
A denial from Bloomberg
Despite the media frenzy, another version relayed by Bloomberg (source) and quoted by Le Monde Informatique (source) contradicts the idea of a halt to cyber operations.
According to a senior Pentagon official (who wished to remain anonymous), Pete Hegseth never gave the order to suspend offensives against Russian targets. This source asserts that there would have been no pause or slowdown in planned actions against malicious actors.
According to Bloomberg, the Pentagon will maintain its usual strategy of vigilance, and the Secretary of Defense will continue to adopt a firm stance to guarantee national cybersecurity.
An unclear situation, but under close surveillance
At this stage, until the White House or the Pentagon issue an official statement, it remains unclear whether US offensive cyber operations have really been put on hold, or whether everything is going according to plan.
If we are to believe Bloomberg‘s information, the USA is not letting up on Russian threats, thus maintaining a high deterrence posture. However, the discrepancy between the different versions shows just how sensitive and open to interpretation these cybersecurity issues remain.
Staying alert to cyberthreats and online information
This case is a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and digital vigilance. Whether you’re talking about a state, a company or an individual, strengthening your defenses is essential in the face of constant threats.
She also stresses the importance of checking one’s sources: between fake news, speculation and partial information, it’s always best to cross-check data before drawing conclusions.
Thought for the day:
“In cybersecurity as in online information, one golden rule always applies: be careful, check your sources and never let your guard down!!!”