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Attorney General Sessions announces plans to create Cyber-Digital Task Force

Privacy/Cyber Risk & Data Security DOJ

Privacy, Cyber Risk & Data Security

On February 20, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Session announced plans to create a Cyber-Digital Task Force (Task Force) designed to combat global cyber threats. According to the DOJ’s press release, Attorney General Sessions stated that the Task Force will “advise me on the most effective ways that this Department can confront these threats and keep the American people safe.” His February 16 memorandum identified certain cyber-related issues as particularly “pressing,” including: (i) the use of the internet to spread violent ideologies; (ii) the theft of corporate, governmental, and private information on a large scale; (iii) the use of technology to evade or frustrate law enforcement; and (iv) the weaponization of consumer devices, including computers and other consumer devices, to attack U.S. citizens and businesses. The Task Force will issue a report by June 30, 2018 outlining the DOJ’s current cyber-related activities and offering recommendations.