As we approach presidential election day, you have to consider the ever-present cyber security risks associated with each election year.
However, millions of Americans cast their ballots every year, participating in one of a democracy’s most fundamental rights. The electoral process’s security and resilience are crucial to maintaining public confidence in its value. A secure election infrastructure ensures that every citizen’s voice is heard and that election outcomes reflect the people’s will.
2017, the Department of Homeland Security officially recognized election infrastructure as critical to the nation’s well-being. This designation emphasizes that protecting election systems is essential to safeguarding the country’s democracy and way of life, underscoring its national importance.
Here are some best practices that would help ensure the security of election systems:
Patch Management: Implement a patch management program to keep election system software updated. This reduces vulnerabilities, such as malware or ransomware attacks. Enabling automatic updates can help if resources are limited.
Log Management: Secure logs from network devices and hosts to track and investigate incidents. Use centralized log management to protect logs from deletion and enable detailed activity monitoring (e.g., using PowerShell 5.0).
Network Segmentation: Separate election-related networks from general networks. This limits the spread of cyber threats by restricting access based on specific roles and functionality.
Blocking Suspicious Activity: Enable security features to block malicious traffic and malware. Train employees to recognize phishing and disable unnecessary or risky protocols (e.g., SMB v1).
Credential Management: Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong passwords to prevent unauthorized access, especially for election systems and sensitive data.
Establish Baselines: Define regular network activity to detect suspicious behavior early. Create standardized configurations for workstations and servers (“gold images”).
Clear Guidance and Policies: Develop cybersecurity policies, like incident response plans and internet connectivity restrictions, to formalize and guide how to handle security events.
The security and resilience of election infrastructure are fundamental to safeguarding the integrity of democracy. By ensuring that voting systems are protected from physical and digital threats, we uphold the American people’s confidence in the electoral process. The recognition of election infrastructure as critical to national security underscores its importance. Continued vigilance and investment in cybersecurity measures will protect the democratic values at the heart of the nation’s identity, ensuring free and fair elections for future generations.
