State officials and security experts are sounding the alarm on increased cyber threats ahead of the upcoming election, warning that federal funding for safeguarding election IT infrastructure is insufficient to combat the growing risks. Despite their pleas for more support, there is little hope of a boost in funding in the final weeks leading up to the national vote.
During a Congressional hearing, secretaries of state from across the country expressed concerns about the lack of funding for modernization efforts, specifically citing the need to upgrade voting systems under the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes acknowledged the important partnership with federal agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security but emphasized the need for additional financial support to address cyber and election security challenges.
While experts agree that the American election infrastructure is generally secure, the upcoming election faces unprecedented threats from foreign adversaries deploying digital influence campaigns and other cyber tactics to undermine public confidence. Recent actions by the Department of Justice against Russian media executives and confirmation of Iranian hacking campaigns targeting political campaigns underscore the seriousness of the threat landscape.
Despite the urgent need for additional funding and resources to bolster election security, experts believe that Congress is unlikely to pass new legislation or grant substantial funding before the November election. David Becker, an election law expert, highlighted the persistent lack of funding at both the federal and state levels for election administration, further complicating efforts to enhance cybersecurity measures.
Recent reports have identified state voter registration databases as prime targets for cyber threats, emphasizing the importance of secure access policies and robust cybersecurity measures. Theresa Payton, CEO of Fortalice Solutions and former White House chief information officer, warned of the multifaceted nature of cyber threats facing election infrastructure and the critical need for comprehensive security measures.
In response to the growing concerns, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a checklist to help election security officials evaluate their cybersecurity posture and address common threats. While this initiative is a positive step, experts like James Turgal believe that more specific guidance is needed to adequately secure local election IT infrastructure and protect against evolving threat vectors.
As the election season intensifies, the need for comprehensive national election security efforts becomes increasingly apparent. Experts emphasize the importance of coordination with federal and state agencies, implementing training programs to address threats, and securing cyber subject matter experts to build resilience in election systems. With the evolving threat landscape and the rise of AI-driven disinformation campaigns, safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process is more crucial than ever.
Despite the challenges posed by limited resources and funding constraints, election officials at the state and local levels continue to work diligently to secure voting infrastructure. While progress has been made, there is still a pressing need for additional support to ensure the security and integrity of the upcoming election.