Trump Administration Aims to ‘Change the Script’ on Offensive Cyber Operations

During a keynote at the RSA Conference in San Francisco, Alexei Bulazel, the National Security Council’s top cyber official, announced that the Trump administration intends to bring offensive cyber operations into the mainstream as a recognised instrument of national strength.

 

Speaking during a keynote, Bulazel explained the shift isn’t about launching attacks for their own sake, but rather ensuring the U.S. can respond to foreign aggression and support military operations when needed. “Not responding is escalatory,” he said, adding that failing to act invites further hostility.

 

The comments mark one of the clearest outlines yet of how the administration intends to reshape U.S. cyber policy. Previous administrations were hesitant to take offensive action, but Bulazel argued it’s time to lift restrictions and “unleash” the capabilities of U.S. cyber forces. “We have amazing talent that has been handcuffed,” he said.

 

The Trump team’s cyber strategy has largely focused on dismantling existing structures like CISA and removing leadership at U.S. Cyber Command, including Gen. Timothy Haugh. Yet offensive capabilities appear to be a priority, particularly in the wake of aggressive Chinese hacking campaigns targeting U.S. telecoms and infrastructure.

 

While Bulazel acknowledged that defensive improvements are harder to enact through executive action, he emphasised the need to rethink defence in the face of AI and other emerging threats.

 

“Updating offense, updating defense — those are the two big boulders,” he concluded.