Hegseth orders Cyber Command to stand down on Russia planning

Is this consistent with "America First"?

Exclusive: Hegseth orders Cyber Command to stand down on Russia planning | The Record from Recorded Future News

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Hegseth gave the instruction to Cyber Command chief Gen. Timothy Haugh, who then informed the organization's outgoing director of operations, Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Ryan Heritage, of the new guidance, according to these people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity.

The order does not apply to the National Security Agency, which Haugh also leads, or its signals intelligence work targeting Russia, the sources said.

The sources said Cyber Command itself has begun compiling a “risk assessment” for Hegseth, a report that acknowledges the organization received his order, lists what ongoing actions or missions were halted as a result of the decision and details what potential threats still emanate from Russia.

Russia is also a bastion for cybercrime, with state-linked and criminal ransomware actors striking targets around the globe. The command has become a key player in countering the malicious activity.

In addition, the stand-down order could expose private sector entities in the U.S. and around the world to greater risk if the command is not keeping Moscow’s intelligence and military services, which both feature notorious hacker groups, at bay.

Late last year Microsoft found Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) had targeted government employees and others in dozens of countries to gain access to their devices and systems.

 

Context: above is a response to the comment that the "admin took a major cyber adversary in Russia off the list.... " in the Ukraine thread.

China is one of the United States' largest trading partners, and we've increased both our defensive and offensive cybersecurity efforts in response to growing threats. Even if we choose to limit offensive capabilities for diplomatic reasons, it makes no sense to weaken our defensive capabilities. Protecting our critical infrastructure, private sector, and financial systems from cyber threats should remain a top priority, and scaling back our defenses only increases our vulnerability.