The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is establishing a new section within its National Security Division to focus on prosecuting malicious foreign cyber activity. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen announced this development, stating that the department aims to play a more active role in combating digital threats originating from outside the country. The newly created National Security Cyber Section will enhance the division's capacity to disrupt and prosecute nation-state cyber threats and state-sponsored cyber criminals. This expansion is part of the DOJ's intensified efforts to counter botnets, contain malware outbreaks, and pursue digital criminals globally.
The decision to elevate cyber-related cases to the same level as the division's existing sections reflects the DOJ's determination to address cyber threats more effectively. The department has recently achieved notable successes in disrupting malware implants and dismantling ransomware infrastructure. However, it acknowledges that it has been operating with limited resources and needs to leverage the expertise and proven effectiveness it has developed over the years.
The budget and the number of prosecutors for the new section have not been disclosed yet. The National Security Cyber Section will adopt a structure similar to the FBI's cyber division, allowing officials to develop specialized knowledge about different threat actors and their tools. The section will work closely with the DOJ's Criminal Division, which has a history of dealing with cybercrimes such as network intrusions.
The DOJ recognizes the ever-evolving tactics of cyber adversaries and aims to adapt its tactics and organization accordingly. By establishing the new section, the department intends to increase the scale and speed of its disruption campaigns and prosecutions related to cyber threats, ultimately bolstering national security in the digital domain.
