In the face of the 2024 election cycle, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have released a joint Public Service Announcement (PSA) titled “Just So You Know: False Claims of Hacked Voter Information Likely Intended to Sow Distrust of U.S. Elections.” The PSA aims to warn the American public about the increasing spread of disinformation that falsely claims cyberattacks have compromised voter registration databases. This move is part of a broader effort by these agencies to preserve public trust in the integrity of the U.S. electoral process amidst ongoing attempts by foreign actors and cybercriminals to undermine democratic institutions.
A Closer Look at the FBI and CISA’s Joint PSA
The PSA, released on September 12, 2024, is a strategic response to ongoing threats targeting the U.S. election infrastructure. Over several election cycles, malicious foreign actors and cybercriminals have increasingly exploited social media platforms and other digital channels to disseminate false information. These efforts are primarily aimed at manipulating public opinion, discrediting the electoral process, and sowing seeds of distrust among voters. “The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are issuing this public service announcement (PSA) to raise awareness of attempts to undermine public confidence in the security of U.S. election infrastructure through the spread of disinformation falsely claiming that cyberattacks compromised U.S. voter registration databases,” CISA.
The FBI and CISA emphasize that these false claims of compromised voter information, such as hacked voter registration databases, are a form of disinformation designed to erode public confidence in the electoral system. “This PSA is to educate people that false claims of election infrastructure compromise, like a voter registration database hack, may be spread by foreign actors and to not accept claims of intrusion at face value,” stated CISA Senior Advisor Cait Conley.
The PSA also underscores that most voter registration information in the U.S. is publicly available, and thus, claims that such information has been “hacked” are often exaggerated. Cynthia Kaiser, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI Cyber Division, echoed this point, stating, “The FBI continues to investigate any claims of malicious cyber actors’ attempts to target U.S. elections. Through our investigations, the FBI has identified that malicious actors commonly attempt to undermine public confidence in US elections by grossly exaggerating about obtaining U.S. voter information.”
The Role of Disinformation in Undermining Trust
Disinformation campaigns targeting elections are not new. Over the years, the U.S. electoral process has been a frequent target of such tactics, primarily orchestrated by state-sponsored entities and cybercriminal groups. These actors leverage social media, fake news websites, and other online platforms to spread false narratives, conspiracy theories, and misinformation. The goal is to create confusion, foster discord, and undermine the credibility of democratic institutions.
According to research conducted by cybersecurity experts, disinformation campaigns are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They often involve coordinated efforts to amplify false claims using automated bots, fake accounts, and even hacked verified accounts. These false narratives are then spread rapidly across multiple platforms, gaining traction and deceiving unsuspecting voters.
The challenge lies in combating these malicious campaigns without infringing on free speech. The FBI and CISA’s joint PSA is a step in the right direction by focusing on raising awareness and encouraging critical evaluation of information rather than censorship.
10 Tips to Protect Against Disinformation and Election Cyber Threats:
- Verify Sources: Always verify the authenticity of news and information from credible and trusted news outlets. Be cautious of sensationalist headlines or stories from unfamiliar sources.
- Be Skeptical of Claims of Hacked Information: Understand that most voter registration information is public. Claims of “hacked” data may be misleading and exaggerated.
- Check for Official Statements: Refer to official statements from election officials, FBI, and CISA for accurate information regarding the security of elections and voter databases.
- Stay Informed About Cybersecurity Best Practices: Follow updates from CISA, the FBI, and other cybersecurity bodies to stay informed about the latest threats and protective measures.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Use two-factor authentication (2FA) for all accounts, especially those related to voting information or political campaigns, to secure them against unauthorized access.
- Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Phishing is a common tactic used in disinformation campaigns. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown emails or messages.
- Report Suspicious Content: If you come across false claims or disinformation, report it to the platform hosting it or relevant authorities.
- Stay Engaged in Civic Education: Participate in civic education programs to better understand how elections work and the common tactics used to undermine them.
- Support Digital Literacy Initiatives: Encourage schools and communities to adopt digital literacy programs that teach critical thinking skills for evaluating online information.
- Use Reliable Cybersecurity Tools: Ensure that all devices are equipped with up-to-date cybersecurity tools to detect and block malicious content that may be part of a larger disinformation campaign.
“To support their mission, both the FBI and CISA encourage the public to report any suspicious or criminal activities, such as ransomware attacks, to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at http://www.ic3.gov. Cyber incidents can also be reported directly to CISA by calling 1-844-Say-CISA (1-844-729-2472), emailing report@dhs.cisa.gov, or reporting online at cisa.gov/report,” The Cyber Express.
Conclusion:
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, it is crucial to remain vigilant against the spread of false claims aimed at undermining public trust in the electoral process. The FBI and CISA’s joint PSA serves as a timely reminder that disinformation is a potent weapon in the digital age. By critically evaluating information, staying informed, and supporting robust cybersecurity measures, we can collectively safeguard the integrity of U.S. elections and maintain the resilience of democratic institutions.
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