Infocyte, a threat detection and incident response platform provider, and MSSP CyberDefenses have unveiled Election Security Assessments. U.S. election authorities and state governments can leverage the assessments to detect cyberattacks, vulnerabilities and tampering across the election process, according to a prepared statement.
The Election Security Assessments are built on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cyber Security Framework and other cybersecurity standards, CyberDefenses stated. They use cybersecurity best practices and expertise to help election departments handle and recover from cyberattacks.
How Do Election Security Assessments Work?
CyberDefenses conducts an Election Security Assessment via onsite and virtual consulting, the company said. The assessment can be completed in weeks, and it does not require additional election department resources, hardware or consulting agreements.
Election departments can use Election Security Assessments to evaluate the end-to-end election process and retrieve cyber risk insights, CyberDefenses indicated. That way, election departments can uncover ways to prevent election cyberattacks and tampering.
In addition, election departments can leverage Election Security Assessments to review their security practices, CyberDefenses noted. They also can receive guidance on best practices to improve their election security initiatives.
US Cyber Command: Election Security Is a 'Top Priority'
The Election Security Assessments announcement comes after several U.S. cybersecurity officials have expressed election security concerns.
Election security is a "top priority" for U.S. Cyber Command, General Paul Nakasone recently told a House Armed Services sub-committee. Meanwhile, Nakasone and other U.S. cybersecurity officials have indicated they believe hackers are actively exploring ways to disrupt the 2020 presidential election.
