5 Ways to Minimize the Risk of a Cyber Attack on Election Systems
5 Ways to Minimize the Risk of a Cyber Attack on Election Systems
In an age where nation-state actors and cybercriminals are increasingly targeting critical infrastructures, securing election systems has never been more essential. Cloud Range recently hosted an insightful webinar titled “Election Cyber Security: 5 Ways to Minimize the Risk of a Cyber Attack,” led by Tom Marsland, VP of Technology, and Pedro Martinez, Attackmaster. The session walked participants through key strategies for safeguarding election systems, highlighted a fascinating ballot breach attack simulation, and offered practical advice on reducing cyber risks during election seasons.
Here’s a quick overview of the major takeaways:
Anatomy of a Ballot Breach Attack Simulation
During the webinar, Pedro Martinez guided attendees through a live-fire attack simulation that demonstrated how attackers could compromise a voting machine. The simulation focused on a ballot breach where malicious actors used remote access to inject malware into the system, altering vote counts in favor of a particular candidate. The demonstration showed the dangerous persistence of malware, how attackers hide in plain sight, and the importance of detecting unusual activities early. By leveraging tools like Windows APIs, attackers could manipulate voting systems, but the exercise also highlighted how thorough forensic investigation and incident response plans can mitigate the damage.
This simulation underscored a crucial message: While election systems are more secure than ever, as reported by CISA, vigilance remains critical in countering evolving threats like misinformation campaigns, remote access attacks, and persistent malware.
5 Ways to Ensure You're Prepared for Election Day
Cybersecurity doesn’t stop at simply securing infrastructure. It’s about comprehensive, strategic preparedness, and this webinar highlighted five key steps election security officials and IT and cybersecurity teams can take to ensure they’re ready for any cyber threats to election infrastructure and systems.
1. Commit & Engage
Ensure Leadership Commitment to Cybersecurity
Securing election infrastructure starts at the top. Organizations must prioritize cybersecurity by engaging all levels of government, coordinating with federal agencies like CISA, and collaborating with key partners. Leadership's commitment to this effort ensures that the right resources are dedicated to protecting the integrity of elections.
2. Understand
Know the Vulnerabilities and Threats
Awareness of the risks and vulnerabilities specific to election systems is critical. From nation-state actors like Russia and Iran targeting the 2024 U.S. elections, to malware infiltrating voting machines, the threats are diverse. Officials must understand the systems they are protecting and stay informed about the latest threats to election security, including social engineering and misinformation campaigns.
3. Plan
Have Incident Response and Recovery Plans
No matter how secure a system is, there is always the potential for a breach. That’s why having a comprehensive incident response and recovery plan is essential. Pedro Martinez highlighted the importance of rehearsing incident responses in advance, so that teams are prepared when a real crisis occurs. Regularly reviewing and updating these plans in coordination with stakeholders, including law enforcement, ensures that everyone knows their role during a cyber incident.
4. Simulate
Train Teams with Live-Fire Simulations
One of the most effective ways to prepare for cyber attacks is through live-fire attack simulations on a comprehensive cyber range like the one conducted during the webinar. Cloud Range offers election security training missions designed to emulate real-world threats, from misinformation campaigns to direct attacks on voting systems. These simulations provide hands-on experience for security teams, helping them better identify indicators of compromise and fine-tune their response procedures in a high-pressure environment.
5. Assess & Debrief
Audit and Review to Continuously Improve
After every election, it’s vital to conduct thorough post-election audits, forensics analysis, and risk assessments to identify any vulnerabilities that could be improved. Learning from what worked—and what didn’t—during election day can strengthen future defenses. Regular assessments and debriefs keep teams sharp and ensure that security evolves with the threat landscape.
Stay One Step Ahead—Watch the Full Webinar
The Cloud Range webinar highlighted the growing need for election officials and cybersecurity teams to be proactive in defending against cyber threats. Through detailed simulations, insightful advice, and actionable takeaways, Tom Marsland and Pedro Martinez provided a roadmap for ensuring election systems are resilient in the face of ever-evolving threats.
To get the full picture of the ballot breach attack and the strategies discussed, watch the complete webinar and see how your organization can enhance its election security preparedness.
