US Officials Urge Americans to Avoid Vigilante Hacking Against Russia

Rob Joyce, the director of cybersecurity at the National Security Agency and a 2022 Wash100 winner, has urged people not to resort to vigilante hacking against Russia.

Speaking at a Vanderbilt University security summit, Joyce said it is not ideal for civilian vigilantes to join a nation-state attack because it is illegal and because it will not help U.S. efforts to hold the Kremlin accountable for the ransomware attacks launched from Russia.

Hundreds of thousands of volunteers worldwide have reportedly joined Ukraine’s efforts to form a coalition of cyber experts that operate outside typical government oversight. The group will reportedly fight Russia on the cyber front, C4ISRNET reported Thursday.

Joyce said joining such an organization will not make the Department of State’s job of holding Russia accountable easier.

During the same event, Kevin Mandia, CEO of cybersecurity firm Mandiant and a 2019 Wash100 winner, warned against private individuals taking action online to influence what he described as “the doctrine between nations.”

State Secretary and 2021 Wash100 winner Antony Blinken said in a different interview that Americans can help Kyiv in other ways such as by providing humanitarian aid and other resources. He is urging individuals to be advocates of a peaceful resolution.