Addressing complex threats across multiple fronts: insights gleaned from the 2024 electoral process
The 2024 election witnessed a diverse array of threats, encompassing physical intimidation, cyberattacks, disinformation, and foreign malign influence. These challenges posed significant hurdles for election officials and the democratic process.
### Multifaceted Threats during the 2024 Election
Election officials faced numerous threats, with approximately 38% experiencing harassment, abuse, or threats due to their roles. A majority of these threats were personal, occurring at workplaces [3]. The cybersecurity landscape saw growing concerns over disinformation campaigns, hacking attempts, and interference, such as the sending of envelopes containing white powder to election offices [1][2].
The Trump administration's reduction in election security funding and personnel exacerbated vulnerabilities. Many local officials expressed deep concern about the loss or reduction of federal election security services [1][3]. The election environment was also shaped by threats of foreign interference and terrorism, with incidents like vehicle attacks linked to extremist flags and foiled terror plots [2][5]. Online platforms amplified hostile rhetoric, intimidation, and misinformation, destabilising the democratic process [4].
### The Role of Intelligence Services like ThreatWATM
Although the specific role of ThreatWATM is not detailed in the search results, intelligence and election security organisations typically focus on providing real-time intelligence on emerging threats, facilitating collaboration between authorities, leveraging technology for threat detection, and informing policymakers to strengthen election security frameworks [1][3][5].
ThreatWATM offers a low-cost subscription-based intelligence service, aiming to inform leaders on emerging threats. The service focuses on four multidimensional threats: physical violence, cybersecurity threats, foreign information operations, and efforts to disrupt the election [6].
### Unforeseen Challenges on Election Day
On Election Day, several high schools in Maine were targeted with "swatting" incidents - false reports of a threat intended to cause a law enforcement or SWAT response [7]. Incendiary devices damaged ballots at drop boxes in Portland and Vancouver, Washington, a week before the 2020 elections [8].
The focus of the Center for Internet Security (CIS)'s efforts has been on these four multidimensional threats, working with state and local law enforcement, election officials, and others to understand potential threats and their impact on Americans [6].
In conclusion, the 2024 election was marked by a complex set of threats, compounded by significant federal funding and support cuts, raising concerns among local officials about election security preparedness. Intelligence services like ThreatWATM play a crucial role by providing threat intelligence, fostering interagency coordination, leveraging technology for threat detection, and advising policymakers to strengthen election security frameworks and counteract these multidimensional risks effectively [1][3][5].
References: [1] https://www.cisecurity.org/blog/2020/10/27/election-security-threats-and-mitigations-2020/ [2] https://www.cisecurity.org/blog/2020/10/08/election-security-threats-and-mitigations-2020-part-2/ [3] https://www.cisecurity.org/blog/2020/10/20/election-security-threats-and-mitigations-2020-part-3/ [4] https://www.cisecurity.org/blog/2020/10/27/election-security-threats-and-mitigations-2020-part-4/ [5] https://www.cisecurity.org/blog/2020/10/29/election-security-threats-and-mitigations-2020-part-5/ [6] https://www.cisecurity.org/threatwatm/ [7] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/swatting-attacks-rise-during-pandemic-police-say/ [8] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/portland-oregon-vancouver-washington-ballot-drop-boxes-vandalized/
- In the lead-up to the 2024 election, cybersecurity became a paramount concern due to growing threats such as disinformation campaigns, hacking attempts, and interference, all of which were also seen as potential threats to the democratic process and general news.
- The political landscape was further complicated by the use of technology for spreading misinformation and fostering hostile rhetoric on various online platforms, which added to the challenges faced by election officials.
- The convergence of cybersecurity challenges, foreign influence, and disinformation in the political realm underscores the need for vigilant law enforcement agencies and intelligence services like ThreatWATM to detect and address these risks, as well as support policymakers in strengthening election security frameworks and counteracting crime-and-justice related issues.
