Graphics demonstrating cybersecurity and elections
Publication | Report/Paper

Cybersecurity is Fundamental to Elections

Lead authors: 

Primer: Cybersecurity and Elections: Dr. Tarun Chaudhary 

Understanding Cybersecurity Throughout The Electoral Process: Dr. Tarun Chaudhary, Thomas Chanussot, and Dr. Manuel Wally

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As election management bodies (EMBs) have taken up new technologies – particularly around digitization of voter registries, transmission processes and aggregation of election results – multiple sources of policy, principle and practice in electoral cybersecurity have emerged to address the potential for disruptive cyber attacks.
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Understanding Cybersecurity Throughout The Electoral Process: A Reference Document An Overview of Cyber Threats and Vulnerabilities in Elections

Primer: Cybersecurity and Elections

Understanding Cybersecurity Throughout the Electoral Process: A Reference Document

In partnership with the DAI Digital Frontiers Project and with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is proud to have produced an essential resource for cybersecurity in elections.

These two new IFES guides explain the fundamentals of electoral cybersecurity, making them essential for those working to support elections and democracy. From the planning phases to Election Day voting and tabulation, to post-election activities, countries around the world are integrating digital components across all aspects of their elections.

The digitization of elections processes holds numerous benefits but can also introduce new security threats. As cybersecurity threats grow, it is crucial for election stakeholders, donors, and practitioners to understand the challenges and learn how to build cybersecurity readiness into their work. These guides were produced in partnership with the DAI Digital Frontiers Project supported by USAID.

  • The Cybersecurity and Elections Primer is a brief “101” document that provides a plain-language overview of cybersecurity in elections. Readers will gain an understanding of why cybersecurity matters to electoral integrity; basic principles of cybersecurity; the main threat actors; and cyber risks during key parts of the electoral process.
  • Understanding Cybersecurity Throughout the Electoral Process: A Reference Document goes deeper and expands on the Primer. Read this guide to gain a more in-depth understanding of key concepts of cybersecurity for elections, risk management, the history and future of cyberattacks, and frameworks that can help guide cybersecurity planning and strategy.