Election Technology
Election Cybersecurity
Protecting election infrastructure, information systems, data, digital services, and election operations from cyber threats.
Why Election Cybersecurity Matters
Modern elections increasingly depend on digital infrastructure. Voter databases, election management systems, communication networks, results systems, websites, and other digital services must remain secure and available throughout the electoral cycle.
A successful cyberattack could disrupt election operations, compromise sensitive information, or undermine public confidence. Therefore, cybersecurity should be considered an essential component of election integrity.
Three Fundamental Security Principles
Confidentiality
Sensitive election information should only be accessible to authorized individuals and systems.
Integrity
Election data and systems must be protected against unauthorized modification or manipulation.
Availability
Critical election services should remain available when election officials and citizens need them.
Common Cybersecurity Threats
Essential Security Measures
- Multi-factor authentication
- Network segmentation
- Encryption
- Continuous security monitoring
- Regular vulnerability assessments
- Secure backups
- Incident response planning
- Security awareness training
- Regular security audits
AI-Powered Election Security
Artificial intelligence can support cybersecurity teams by analyzing security logs, identifying unusual activity, detecting potential threats, and assisting analysts during incident investigation.
AI should complement—not replace—human cybersecurity expertise, particularly in high-impact democratic systems.