Election security

America’s voting systems need security upgrades: It’s time to beef up cybersecurity

There’s no evidence that hacking had any impact whatsoever on the results of the 2016 election.

But—in an age of rapidly rising cybersecurity threats and quickly aging voting infrastructure—there’s no guarantee that elections in 2018, 2020, and beyond will be safe. While alleged Russian hacking has received huge attention this year, the cyber-threat to American electoral democracy could come in the future from Russia, China, North Korea, ISIS, Anonymous, or any of a number of potential players with cyber capacities.

This is a serious matter of national security. Policymakers should treat it as such.

It’s no secret that America’s voting systems need security upgrades. According to a recent study, 43 states use electronic voting and tabulation systems that are at least a decade old — dangerously near to the estimated lifespan for such systems. A new survey of 274 election officials in 28 states found that most administrators need upgrades but lack the resources to obtain them.