- The FBI and CISA confirm DDoS attacks won’t impact the integrity of the 2024 US election.
- Minor disruptions may occur, but voting will remain unaffected.
- Voters should rely on official sources and report suspicious activity.
As the 2024 US Presidential election approaches, concerns about cybersecurity threats like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are on the rise.
These attacks, which can disrupt online services, are a common worry, especially in the context of electronic voting systems.
However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have taken steps to reassure the public that such attacks will not compromise the integrity of the upcoming election.
In a recent joint statement, both agencies emphasized that even if a large-scale DDoS attack were to be launched against election infrastructure, the core data and internal systems crucial to the voting process would remain secure.
This assurance comes at a critical time when confidence in the electoral process is paramount.
What Are DDoS Attacks?
DDoS attacks are a form of cyberattack where multiple compromised computers flood a target server with traffic, overwhelming its capacity and causing it to become unavailable to legitimate users.
While these attacks can disrupt access to certain online services, they do not have the ability to alter or delete data directly.
Impact on Election-Related Functions
According to the FBI and CISA, any DDoS attacks during the election cycle may cause temporary disruptions to non-essential services, such as voter look-up tools or the reporting of unofficial election results.
However, these attacks will not impact the actual voting process or the tabulation of votes. Voters can be assured that these cyber threats will not hinder their ability to cast a ballot.
Combating Misinformation
The joint statement also addressed the potential for misinformation, warning that threat actors may falsely claim that DDoS attacks are indicative of a compromise in the election process.
These claims are often designed to undermine public confidence in the election. The FBI and CISA have urged voters to rely on official sources for information related to voter registration, mail-in voting, and election results.
CISA’s Assurance
CISA Senior Advisor Cait Conley has emphasized the importance of understanding the nature of these incidents. She noted that while minor disruptions could occur, they will not significantly impact the overall security or integrity of the election.
Conley highlighted that DDoS attacks have been used against election infrastructure in the past and will likely be attempted again, but they will not succeed in affecting the core aspects of the democratic process.
Reporting Suspicious Activity
To further safeguard the election, voters are encouraged to report any suspicious or criminal activity targeting election systems to their local FBI field office.
This can be done by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or by using the online reporting service at ic3.gov. By staying vigilant and informed, voters can contribute to protecting the electoral process.
