Election Officials

Controlling Access & Authentication Email & Other Communications Harassment & Legal Considerations Internet Connection Location & Tracking Operational Reputational Risks & Threats Security Awareness Sensitive Data Social Media Systems, Devices, Applications, and Services Website Cybersecurity Toolkit for Elections - Global Cyber Alliance

Introduction Election officials hold a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, but in today's digital age, they are confronted with a complex landscape of cybersecurity challenges. These challenges demand vigilant attention and proactive measures to protect elections from disruptions and maintain public trust. Safeguarding Personal Information Protecting voters' personally identifiable information is a critical responsibility for election officials. Their names, addresses, and other identifying details must be safeguarded from potential threats. To achieve this, election officials need to implement strong cybersecurity controls to maintain the confidentiality of this sensitive data. In addition to this, they should take proactive measures by educating themselves on privacy settings across various online platforms. Regularly reviewing and adjusting privacy configurations is essential in this regard. Furthermore, it's imperative for election officials to exercise caution when it comes to sharing their personal information with unauthorized sources. Ensuring Secure Online Experiences The nature of election administration often requires election officials to engage in various online activities, including managing voter registration databases, administering elections, and reporting results. To ensure secure online experiences: Suspicious Links: Officials should be cautious about clicking on suspicious links in emails or on websites. Disinformation Reporting: Recognizing and reporting disinformation or malicious content is essential to maintain election integrity. Security Tools: The use of security tools and software can protect devices from malware and phishing attempts. Protecting Against Cyber Threats and Election Interference Vigilance against cyber threats and election interference is crucial: Threat Awareness: Election officials should stay informed about common cyber threats targeting the electoral process, including phishing attempts, misinformation campaigns, and hacking attempts on election systems. Software Updates: Regularly updating software and using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication are effective measures to protect devices and networks. Securing Digital Communication Channels With the increasing reliance on digital communication platforms for election administration, election officials should take steps to secure their online conversations: Encryption: Using encrypted messaging applications ensures the privacy and security of digital communications. Source Verification: Verifying the authenticity of online sources before trusting or sharing information is essential. Ensuring the Integrity of the Electoral Process Preserving the integrity of the electoral process is very important: Security Measures: Election officials should stay informed about the security measures implemented by their organization, such as secure voting systems and robust authentication protocols. Suspicious Activity Reporting: Promptly reporting any suspicious activities or attempts to manipulate the electoral process to the appropriate authorities is critical. Training and Awareness Programs Regular training and awareness programs enhance election officials' cybersecurity knowledge and understanding of potential threats: Cybersecurity Education: Education on different types of cyber-attacks, disinformation techniques, and critical evaluation of online sources is essential. Regulations and Guidelines: Staying informed about the regulations and guidelines governing the electoral process ensures officials are aware of their rights and responsibilities. Incident Response Planning Having a well-defined incident response plan in place is crucial: Reporting Channels: Familiarity with reporting channels and understanding the steps to take in case of suspected fraud or tampering is essential. Seeking Assistance: Election officials should know how to seek assistance from relevant authorities when needed. Conclusion By implementing comprehensive cybersecurity controls, election officials play a vital role in protecting the integrity of the electoral process. Their proactive approach, combined with ongoing education and incident response readiness, contributes to a resilient and secure electoral environment, enabling them to administer elections with confidence and trust.