The new US defence secretary has ordered the nation’s Cyber Command to halt planning to counter threats from Russia, according to reports.
Pete Hegseth’s instructions reflect the new administration’s decision to downplay the cyber threat from Russia.
His instruction to Gen Timothy Haugh, the Cyber Command chief, to implement the new directive was reported by The Record, a specialist computer security website.
Details emerged against a backdrop of the White House row between Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, and both Donald Trump and JD Vance, the vice-president.
Earlier in the week, Liesyl Franz, the deputy assistant secretary for international cyber space security at the department of state, highlighted China and Iran – but not Russia – as the major threat to US infrastructure.
The new US defense secretary has instructed the nation's Cyber Command to halt planning to counter threats from Russia, signaling a shift in the administration's approach to cyber threats. Pete Hegseth's directive to Gen Timothy Haugh, the Cyber Command chief, was reported by The Record, a specialist computer security website.
This development comes amid a White House row involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump, and JD Vance. Earlier in the week, Liesyl Franz, the deputy assistant secretary for international cyberspace security at the Department of State, identified China and Iran - but not Russia - as the major threats to US infrastructure.
This decision reflects a change in focus towards other cyber threats facing the nation.
