CISA Prepares Fresh Election Security Blueprint for Midterms – Journal Posts

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is moving ahead with a new public plan due in 30 days that will detail cyber and physical security resources available to states for the upcoming midterms.

Acting Director Nick Andersen said the plan will offer states the cyber tools they need, including no-cost voluntary services such as threat information sharing, technical expertise, vulnerability scanning, and other risk mitigation support. CISA also plans to apply a security approach it previously used during the World Cup to safeguard the midterm elections.

An internal memo emailed to Capitol Hill staff this month lays out more of the administration’s approach than has been shared publicly. Remaining staff are being reassigned into new liaison roles expected to “build trusted relationships” with state and local elected officials, following demands from President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin for a sweeping overhaul of the agency’s election work.

For nearly a decade after elections became critical infrastructure in 2017, CISA staffed 10 regional offices that ran exercises, cyber tests, threat advisories, and later physical security checks. Those specialists were forced out after the administration took office and most of their work paused. The shared information portal still runs, but now on a paid subscription model.

Source: CNN