U.S. to offer cyberwar capabilities to NATO allies

Acting to counter Russia’s aggressive use of cyberattacks across Europe and around the world, the U.S. is expected to announce that, if asked, it will use its formidable cyberwarfare capabilities on NATO’S behalf, according to a senior U.S. official.

The announcement is expected in the coming days as U.S. Defence Secretary Jim Mattis attends a meeting of NATO defence ministers on Wednesday and Thursday.

Katie Wheelbarger, the principal deputy assistant defence secretary for international security affairs, said the U.S. is committing to use offensive and defensive cyber operations for NATO allies, but America will maintain control over its own personnel and capabilities.

The decision comes on the heels of the NATO summit in July, when members agreed to allow the alliance to use cyber capabilities that are provided voluntarily by allies to protect networks and respond to cyberattacks. It reflects growing concerns by the U.S. and its allies over Moscow’s use of cyber operations to influence elections in America and elsewhere.

“Russia is constantly pushing its cyber and information operations,’’ said Wheelbarger, adding that this is a way for the U.S. to show its continued commitment to NATO.

NATO Secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Wednesday that the inclusion of offensive cyber operations in alliance missions “is just one of many elements in our strengthened NATO cyber defences.’’ And he said that it’s important to have cyber capabilities that can be used against the Islamic State group to destroy the networks they use for recruiting, financing and communicating.