In a groundbreaking effort to enhance the security of the upcoming US Presidential Election, election machine manufacturers have allowed hackers a glimpse into their technology. The first-ever Election Security Research Forum, held this week, focused on organizing penetration testing and bug research for digital scanners, ballot marking devices, and electronic pollbooks. This forum also marked the first time manufacturers willingly offered their systems for third-party review as part of a vulnerability disclosure process.
The Forum, a culmination of five years of planning by the IT-ISAC’s Elections Industry Special Interest Group (EI-SIG), aims to address one of the most critical cyber threat surfaces. By engaging security researchers and enabling them to interact with vendors, the industry hopes to identify potential weaknesses and address them before the election takes place.
Casey Ellis, founder and CTO at Bugcrowd, emphasized the significance of this partnership between security researchers and election machine manufacturers. “The reality is that security research happens whether the vendors invite it or not,” said Ellis. “This shift in relationship and approach takes advantage of the existing dynamics of the Internet in order to make the democratic process more resilient and more trustworthy.”
By willingly subjecting their technology to scrutiny, these manufacturers are acknowledging the importance of ensuring the integrity of the democratic process. The participation of security researchers is crucial in identifying vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malicious actors. This collaboration between the hacking community and election machine vendors aims to create a more secure and trustworthy voting environment.
During the Forum, hackers in the room gained a deeper understanding of the complexity and significance of election systems as a security target. Simultaneously, the voting service providers had the opportunity to witness the hacker mindset in action. This mutual exchange of knowledge and insights was seen as a successful step towards a more secure election process.
The event was considered a pilot event, and its success has set the stage for future collaborations between security researchers and election machine manufacturers. The vulnerability disclosure process enabled in this Forum paves the way for continued cooperation, ensuring that potential threats can be identified and addressed promptly.
The need for enhanced election security has become a pressing concern, particularly in the wake of cybersecurity incidents in previous elections. The intrusion into election systems by foreign actors during the 2016 US Presidential Election highlighted the vulnerabilities present in the electoral process. The participation of security researchers in the Election Security Research Forum signifies a proactive approach to addressing these vulnerabilities and securing future elections.
While the Forum primarily focused on the technology that voters may encounter at polling sites, it underscores the importance of securing the entire election ecosystem. From voter registration databases to result reporting systems, every aspect of the democratic process must be fortified against potential threats.
The success of this initiative has sparked optimism within the cybersecurity community. By embracing the expertise of security researchers, election machine manufacturers are demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding the democratic process. As technology continues to play a pivotal role in elections, it is imperative to foster a collaborative environment that promotes regular security assessments and vulnerability disclosures.
The ongoing partnership between security researchers and election machine manufacturers serves as a proactive approach to cyber threats. By opening their wares to hackers and inviting scrutiny, these manufacturers are reinforcing their dedication to election security. As preparations for the US Presidential Election progress, this collaborative effort will play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of the democratic process.