Enhancing Election Security: New Cybersecurity Initiative for Local Election Officials

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Center for Democracy and Technology Launches Initiative to Bolster Cybersecurity of Local Election Officials

A new initiative aimed at bolstering the cybersecurity of local election officials has been launched by the Center for Democracy and Technology. The project, led by Geoff Hale, a veteran of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, seeks to provide timely research and analysis to support the security and resilience of critical election processes.

Addressing Reduced Federal Funding for Cybersecurity Projects

The initiative comes at a time when state and local governments are facing reduced federal funding for cybersecurity projects. The Election Assistance Commission’s limited election security grant funds, totaling $45 million, and the diminishing assistance programs of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, have left many local election officials without the necessary resources to adequately protect their systems.

Providing Expert Support and Resources

According to the Center for Democracy and Technology, the new initiative will provide expert briefings, in-depth evaluations of emerging threats, and the development of useful tools for stakeholders. The center will also monitor federal advancements in election technology and cybersecurity legislation, providing critical insights to local election officials.

“Election officials deserve the best possible technical support to safeguard their systems, particularly in today’s highly polarized political environment,” said Alexandra Reeve Givens, President and CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology. “This initiative is a crucial step in ensuring the integrity of our democratic processes.”

Revitalizing Cybersecurity Funding and Partnerships

Tim Harper, head of the Center’s elections and democracy project, emphasized the importance of revitalizing cybersecurity funding, partnerships, and information sharing in bolstering election security. “We must work together to support local election officials and provide them with the resources they need to protect their systems from an ever-evolving threat landscape,” Harper said.

The initiative is a welcome development for local election officials, who have been facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats in recent years. By providing timely research and analysis, expert briefings, and critical tools, the Center for Democracy and Technology aims to help these officials stay ahead of the threats and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.