The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have come together to tackle the pressing issue of election-day cybersecurity threats by releasing a joint public service announcement. With their message titled “Just So You Know: Ransomware Disruptions During Voting Periods Will Not Impact the Security and Resilience of Vote Casting or Counting,” their primary goal is to reassure the American citizens regarding the integrity of the upcoming 2024 elections amidst the rising danger of ransomware attacks.
Acknowledging the potential disruptive nature of such attacks on state or local government networks, including election infrastructure, the FBI and CISA emphasize in their latest announcement that these disruptions are unlikely to jeopardize the overall security and accuracy of the voting process. Any observed ransomware attacks on election-day cybersecurity have so far been contained to localized incidents, causing minimal disruption to election operations without compromising the integrity of vote-casting or counting processes. This reassurance is vital as concerns linger that cyber threats could erode public trust in the electoral system.
Election officials are well-prepared to handle any potential ransomware disruptions, utilizing a multi-layered security approach encompassing various technological, physical, and procedural controls. This comprehensive framework aims to prevent cyber intrusions, including ransomware attacks, from affecting the vote-casting and counting processes. Cait Conley, a Senior Advisor at CISA, emphasized the importance of these election-day cybersecurity measures, pointing out that security measures put in place by election officials and vendors are sufficient to ensure that these incidents do not compromise the security of the electoral systems and processes.
The FBI has also dedicated itself to addressing the threat of ransomware and other cyber threats targeting election-day cybersecurity. Cynthia Kaiser, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, emphasized the bureau’s proactive approach in combating ransomware attacks, particularly during election periods. Kaiser reassured the public that while the FBI continues to employ its resources and partnerships to combat cybercriminals, the likelihood of ransomware affecting the integrity of voting systems or the electoral process is extremely low.
Moreover, the joint announcement highlights the potential for misinformation and foreign interference during elections. Malicious actors have previously attempted to spread false or exaggerated information about cyber incidents to manipulate public opinion and undermine confidence in democratic institutions, a tactic that could resurface in the upcoming election cycle. Therefore, it is imperative for voters to rely on official sources for accurate information about election procedures, polling locations, and results, and to exercise caution against unofficial sources disseminating misleading information about election-day cybersecurity processes.
To safeguard the electoral process, the FBI and CISA provide key recommendations for voters to stay informed by gathering accurate information from official sources, verify the legitimacy of information, remain vigilant against election-related schemes and misinformation, and report any suspicious activities to local FBI field offices or CISA promptly. Despite the challenges posed by ransomware threats, the FBI and CISA are confident that with robust security measures and continuous monitoring, the security and integrity of the 2024 election-day cybersecurity will remain intact, ensuring the resilience and accuracy of the electoral process.