Election Security at Risk Amid Cybersecurity Agency Overhaul
Election officials across the United States are expressing deep concerns following significant changes to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a federal entity tasked with safeguarding election security. Over the years, CISA has played a pivotal role in securing elections by conducting training programs, implementing a nationwide threat alert system, and fostering collaboration between state and federal agencies. These efforts ensured smooth operations even during high-risk scenarios, such as bomb threats targeting polling stations on Election Day last November.
Despite CISA’s success in mitigating cybersecurity risks, the federal administration has initiated substantial cuts to its operations, raising alarms among election authorities. Around 130 employees have been dismissed, primarily from divisions handling election security and misinformation. A recent internal memo from CISA’s acting director, Bridget Bean, revealed a comprehensive review of all positions and activities related to election security, temporarily halting funding for the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC). This move has left state officials uncertain about the future of election security support.
State Officials Urge Federal Action to Preserve Election Security
As concerns grow, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) has formally appealed to the Department of Homeland Security to maintain CISA’s vital services. The bipartisan letter, signed by Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon and Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, highlighted the critical role CISA plays in defending against sophisticated cyber threats, including those posed by nation-states and cybercriminal organizations.
Election officials in Arizona pointed to CISA’s contributions in bolstering physical security across polling stations, ensuring bomb threats on Election Day did not disrupt the voting process. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes emphasized that without CISA’s expertise and resources, election offices would struggle to maintain robust security measures. The agency’s influence extends beyond election day protocols, as seen in Texas, where a 2019 law mandated security assessments to fortify electronic voting systems. The Texas Secretary of State’s Office has relied heavily on CISA’s guidance to enhance election infrastructure and cyber resilience.
Uncertainty Looms as CISA’s Future Remains Unclear
The reduction in CISA’s workforce and election security initiatives has sparked concerns about the potential financial burden on smaller counties that previously benefited from federally funded security assessments. Trudy Hancock, the elections administrator for Brazos County, Texas, noted that without CISA’s assistance, smaller jurisdictions would have to seek private assessments, which may be costly and lack specialized expertise. Larger counties, such as Harris County, home to Houston, also fear the loss of crucial federal support.
Wisconsin election officials echoed these concerns, citing the impact of CISA’s educational materials, training programs, and security assessments on improving election integrity. Milwaukee County Clerk George Christenson warned that further reductions in federal assistance could undermine the security of future elections. Meanwhile, officials in Michigan remain in the dark about what level of federal support they can expect moving forward, as no official statements have been made regarding the agency’s long-term plans.
Adding to the uncertainty, CISA currently lacks permanent leadership, with both the director and deputy director positions remaining vacant. Without a clear directive from the administration, election officials fear that the agency’s pivotal role in securing U.S. elections could be significantly diminished, leaving the electoral process vulnerable to cybersecurity threats and foreign interference.
