Secure our Elections: Build Resilience into our Democratic Processes

Since January 2017, the infrastructure used to administer elections has been deemed as critical infrastructure to the United States, meaning that any incapacitation of the system would be detrimental to the country’s national security. During this year’s Infrastructure Security Month, the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is highlighting the importance of election infrastructure.

The 2020 election was the most secure in modern history due to the successful efforts dedicated to preserving the integrity of its election infrastructure. Despite the recent success in keeping our elections secure, election officials shouldn’t let their guard down. CISA works with state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) election officials to build and maintain election security year after year and is committed to ensuring both the physical security and the cybersecurity of the systems and assets that support the Nation’s elections.

To help build resilience into our democratic process, CISA is expanding outreach to SLTT election officials and enhancing engagement with the private sector. CISA partners will have both the awareness of and access to the extensive cyber and physical security tools, services, and resources.

Election Infrastructure Training & Resources

These resources provided by CISA can help ensure elections are kept safe from both physical and cyber threats and include resources such as:

• Election Security Trainings and Exercises Offerings
  • Cyber and physical trainings and exercises focusing on topics including election security best practices, ransomware, and phishing.
• Election Infrastructure Cyber Risk Assessment and Infographic
  • An assessment to help evaluate risks to preparation key points meant to help with understanding and managing risk to critical election systems.
• Election Infrastructure Security Resource Guide
  • A catalog sharing information on all of CISA services and products available to support SLTT election officials.
• Election Risk Profile Tool
  • An assessment tool for election officials to understand the risks they face and how to prioritize mitigation efforts.
• Cyber Incident Detection and Notification Planning Guide for Election Security
  • Templates to help officials recognize and respond to cyber threats and incidents.
• Physical Security of Voting Locations and Election Facilities Guidance
  • Resources as well as a framework to help election officials improve the physical security of the election infrastructure.

Visit the CISA Election Security page to view and access the resource spotlight highlighting the above resources as well as the additional resources provided in the Election Security Resource Library.

CISA helps to maintain our election security by working to increase public confidence and trust in our electoral system and its functioning. In recent elections, there has been greater public concern about the legitimacy of the election process and results due to Mis/Dis/Mal-information, known as MDM. By helping Americans to recognize and avoid MDM, CISA strives to increase the American trust in the democratic process.

Through concentrated and persistent efforts to build and maintain best practices for both the physical and cybersecurity of elections, CISA and election officials can help to ensure that in an ever-changing world, our elections remain safe, secure, and resilient.

Learn more about Infrastructure Security Month at https://www.cisa.gov/.