The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has finalized its comprehensive assessment of election security measures. Despite concerns from various stakeholders, the agency has chosen not to release the findings to the public. This decision marks a significant shift in how election security information is managed and shared, potentially impacting future collaboration between federal and state entities.
Previously, CISA has been instrumental in providing critical support and resources to ensure the integrity of elections across the United States. Historically, the agency maintained transparency in its operations, fostering trust and cooperation among state and local governments. The current withholding of the review’s results diverges from this established pattern, raising questions about the agency’s future role in election security.
What Prompted CISA to Undertake an Internal Election Security Review?
The decision to conduct an internal review was initiated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), signaling a strategic evaluation of CISA’s role in safeguarding election infrastructure.
“The assessment that CISA has undertaken is internal and will help inform how the agency moves forward to best support critical infrastructure,”
a CISA spokesperson stated.
Why Has CISA Decided Not to Release the Review Findings?
CISA has opted to keep the review findings confidential, citing the document’s internal nature and the intention to use the insights for enhancing future operations.
“This is an internal document that is not planned to be released publicly,”
the spokesperson added.
How Will This Decision Impact Election Security Stakeholders?
The decision has sparked concerns among election security stakeholders, who argue that the lack of transparency could undermine trust and hinder collaboration efforts. Critics claim that withholding the review’s conclusions creates uncertainty and may jeopardize the cooperative relationship between federal, state, and local governments reliant on CISA’s expertise and resources.
“Without transparency, election officials won’t even know what options are available to them,”
Tim Harper of the Center for Democracy and Technology emphasized.
As CISA maintains its stance on keeping the review findings internal, stakeholders are left to navigate the evolving landscape of election security with limited information on potential strategic changes. The termination of funding for the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC) by the Department of Homeland Security further complicates the efforts to secure election infrastructure. Moving forward, election officials may need to seek alternative resources and establish new partnerships to ensure the continued protection of electoral processes.
