Overview

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a temporary halt to U.S. Cyber Command's offensive operations targeting Russia, reportedly to avoid disrupting potential diplomatic negotiations with Moscow.
• Critics, including cybersecurity experts and lawmakers, warn that deprioritizing Russia as a cyber threat could increase U.S. vulnerability to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and national security assets.
• The pause comes as President Trump seeks to improve relations with Russia, drawing criticism for recent actions, including suspending military aid to Ukraine and pushing for a peace deal favoring Moscow.
• The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has denied any shift in its focus on Russian cyber threats, despite reports suggesting otherwise.
• Experts caution that the pause could undermine confidence among allies in U.S. cybersecurity leadership while potentially emboldening Russian cyber operations.