“We are not simply conducting 'attacks for the sake of attacks.' If we are attacked by a foreign entity, we must be able to respond in a corresponding manner and utilize cyber attacks to support traditional military operations.” 

This was stated by Alexei Bulazel, Senior Director for Cyber at the National Security Council (NSC), at the RSA Conference held in San Francisco last May. 

The strategy for an offensive cyber approach was noticed since the second Trump administration took office. 

There was a strong sentiment that the United States should not just sit back and take it. The idea was to go on the offensive and make the adversary pay a cost. 

This background particularly involved China's hacking campaigns. 

China, through operations like 'Salt Typhoon,' has hacked into several U.S. telecommunications companies. Analysis reveals that China has formed a 'staging ground' from which they can attack America's critical infrastructure at any time. 

While previous U.S. administrations hesitated to use digital attack means against adversaries, it is analyzed that the Trump administration formalized and actively used these tools. 

The term offensive cyber operations might sound vague, but in reality, they include several specific activities.

Zero-day vulnerabilities, spyware distribution, building attack infrastructure, collecting information and purchasing 'NetFlow' are some examples. The budget is spent on overall activities that prepare and support cyber attacks, not merely hacking.

• Zero-day vulnerabilities
  A technique that exploits hidden flaws in software that are not known to anyone else to secretly infiltrate systems.

• Spyware distribution
  Programs secretly installed on others' devices to extract sensitive information like emails, documents, and call records.

• Building attack infrastructure:
  Creating and operating attack servers or systems in secret, essentially establishing a 'base of operations' for cyber attacks.

• Collecting information and purchasing 'NetFlow'
  Includes gathering internet traffic information and even purchasing it from the market. NetFlow summarizes users' internet activity data.

The U.S. offensive cyber strategy is a policy that sends a strong message not only to the U.S.-China conflict but also to four other nations: Russia, Iran, and North Korea.