Protecting Democratic Processes
Election security encompasses both the technical infrastructure (voting machines, election management systems, voter registration databases) and the information environment (social media, news, advertising). Both require protection from cyber threats and influence operations.
Technical Infrastructure Threats
Voting System Security
- Voting machine software vulnerabilities
- Supply chain attacks on election technology vendors
- Physical tampering with voting equipment
- Network attacks on election management systems
Voter Registration
- Database manipulation (adding, deleting, or modifying records)
- DDoS attacks on voter lookup systems on election day
- Data theft for targeted influence operations
Results Reporting
- Man-in-the-middle attacks on results transmission
- DDoS attacks on results reporting websites
- Manipulation of unofficial election night results
Information Threats
AI-Generated Disinformation
- Deepfake videos of candidates
- AI-generated fake news articles
- Synthetic social media profiles and engagement
- Automated narrative amplification
Foreign Influence Operations
- State-sponsored social media campaigns
- Hack-and-leak operations
- Amplification of domestic divisions
- Funding of influence organizations
Defense Strategies
Technical Defenses
- Paper ballot audit trails for all voting
- Risk-limiting audits after elections
- Network segmentation of election infrastructure
- Multi-factor authentication for election officials
- Incident response plans specific to election scenarios
Information Defenses
- Media literacy education
- Deepfake detection deployment
- Social media monitoring for coordinated inauthentic behavior
- Rapid response for debunking false claims
- Transparent election processes and public observation
Where SuperClue Fits
SuperClue does not monitor social media or assess voting systems. Its DAST scanner and SOC agent can help secure the websites and servers of election bodies.