Election Security in the Face of Evolving Cyber Threats

As a former FBI agent specializing in cybersecurity, I am deeply troubled by the growing threat of cybercrime targeting elections worldwide. The integrity of the democratic process faces constant assault from sophisticated cyber adversaries aiming to disrupt and unduly influence electoral outcomes.

Recent remarks by FBI Director Christopher Wray underscore the severity of the situation. In his words, "The U.S. will face more adversaries, moving at a faster pace, and enabled by new technology" during this election cycle. Advances in generative AI, for instance, are lowering the barrier to entry, making it easier for both sophisticated and less-sophisticated actors to engage in malign influence campaigns that are increasingly realistic and challenging to detect.

The risks posed by election-related cybercrime are multifaceted. We are witnessing the dissemination of misinformation and disinformation campaigns, social engineering tactics, and even direct attacks on election infrastructure. Foreign interference is a particularly concerning aspect, as adversaries deploy a range of cyber tactics to sow discord, manipulate public opinion, and potentially attempt to alter vote counts or election results.

While significant efforts are being made to secure elections, the dynamic nature of cyber threats means that election security is an ongoing battle. Governments, international organizations, and cybersecurity agencies are continuously adapting and collaborating to protect the electoral process. However, the evolving tactics of bad actors necessitate constant vigilance, innovation, and cooperation among all stakeholders involved.

To protect our democracy from undue influence, each one of us must become more aware. Public education, digital literacy, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness are crucial to building a resilient democratic system. The positive side of increasing awareness is that citizens and residents of the U.S. will be better able to protect their own accounts and those of businesses they work for.

As a cybersecurity professional, I urge all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, corporations, businesses, and the general public, to remain vigilant and committed to securing our elections. Together, we can adapt, innovate, and overcome the evolving threats posed by cybercrime in the electoral process.

For more detailed information on the efforts to protect the right to vote and secure elections, please refer to official releases from government agencies and insights from reputable cybersecurity experts. You can also visit my website at https://thelanzagroup.com/ for additional resources.

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Sarita Stevens

Jeff Lanza is a retired FBI Special Agent with over 20 years of experience investigating cybercrime, organized crime, human trafficking, and terrorism. A sought-after keynote speaker, he has provided over 1,000 presentations to clients like 20th Century Fox, UBS, Merrill Lynch, and the Young Presidents Organization on topics spanning cybersecurity, leadership, crisis communication and more. Jeff has been featured as a cybercrime expert on national TV networks, in a Netflix documentary about the FBI, and at prestigious events like an international cybersecurity conference in Dubai. In addition to developing corporate training programs and authoring two books, he has lent his law enforcement expertise as a consultant for Hollywood films and TV shows. Jeff's multifaceted background, from his FBI leadership roles to his corporate roles prior to the Bureau, allow him to offer audiences an authoritative yet relatable perspective on today's digital threats and security best practices.

This release was published on openPR.