Summary
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) director, Jen Easterly, has assured the public that foreign adversaries will not be able to alter the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. She emphasized the robustness of the current election infrastructure, stating that even attempts to interfere would not have a material impact on the election results.
In a recent interview, Easterly highlighted that the security of voting and ballot-counting systems is at an all-time high. Despite ongoing threats from nations like Russia and Iran aiming to sow discord and undermine public confidence in the electoral process, she asserted that there is no evidence of any specific cyber activity targeting the actual election infrastructure. Federal agencies have taken measures to counter foreign influence, including the seizure of fake websites and charges against individuals involved in election-related cyber activities. Easterly stressed the importance of relying on local election officials for accurate information amidst a confusing information environment and encouraged voter engagement through volunteering as poll workers.
Key Points
- Robust Security Measures: Easterly noted that the election systems are more secure than ever, making large-scale interference impossible.
- Focus on Misinformation: While foreign adversaries may attempt to influence public perception, Easterly emphasized that their capabilities do not extend to tampering with election processes.
- Local Election Officials as Trusted Sources: Voters are encouraged to seek information from their local election offices to navigate the misinformation landscape effectively.
The Wiretap: China Has Infiltrated Police Wiretap Systems
Oct. 8 / Forbes / Forbes highlights Easterly's confidence in election integrity while also juxtaposing it with broader cybersecurity issues, but it feels less focused on the election topic, diluting its impact on the specific event. “ Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin The Wiretap is your weekly digest of cybersecurity, internet privacy and surveillance news. To get it in...
No chance of foreign adversary to change US election results: CISA head
Oct. 3 / Business Standard / Easterly's interview in Business Standard succinctly emphasizes the heightened security of U.S. election systems, providing a clear assurance against foreign interference, but lacks deeper context on misinformation strategies. “ Security for America's election systems has become so robust that Russia, Iran or any other foreign adversary will not be able to alter the outcome of this...
US Election Results Safe From Foreign Adversaries: Cybersecurity Director
Oct. 2 / Newsweek / Newsweek offers a well-rounded view of Easterly's assurances, including details on federal actions against foreign influence, making it a comprehensive source for understanding current election security measures and voter guidance. “ Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the head of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) assured voters on Wednesday that...