The U.S. government unsealed an indictment in April revealing that Assange had been charged for conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.

The idea that adversaries might reverse engineer NSA exploits is one that military leaders deal with every day. So what's being done to prevent it from happening?

The moves are meant to complicate possible election interference originating in countries like Russia. The goal is to be "in constant contact with the enemy," one general said.

“The threat and the challenge is persistent. The Chinese remain very aggressive in their use of cyber,” Assistant Secretary of Defense Randall G. Schriver said during a press briefing on a new report.

The task force the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command created last year to thwart Russian influence and cyberattacks is now permanent.

The drill has grown way beyond its humble beginnings to include over 800 people from the Guard, private sector, and law enforcement.