Elections depend on public confidence that every eligible vote is recorded and counted accurately. As election systems become more connected, cyber threats can target voter registration databases, operational networks, ballot-casting equipment, and the communications that support election administration.
Cybersecurity best practices for elections therefore require coordinated safeguards before, during, and after Election Day. Strong access controls, secure systems, trained personnel, and tested response plans can help election officials reduce risk, protect data, and maintain the resilience of democratic processes.
Protecting Election Integrity Through Cybersecurity Best Practices
Election integrity depends on accurate, accessible, and trusted processes, from voter registration through the certification of results. Cybersecurity helps protect the systems and information that support these processes from unauthorized access, disruption, or alteration.
Cybersecurity best practices for elections should be guided by risk assessment and applied across the election environment. Threats may target digital systems, staff accounts, or communications, so protection should account for both technology and the people who use it.
Strong safeguards reduce the likelihood that a cyber incident will interfere with election operations or undermine confidence in results. They do not, by themselves, prove that an election is secure; transparent procedures, auditable records, and established verification processes also support public trust.
Election authorities should treat security as an ongoing responsibility, not a one-day task. Consistent planning, oversight, and coordination help jurisdictions prepare for threats while preserving the accuracy and continuity of election processes.
Secure Voter Registration and Election Management Systems
Voter registration databases and election management systems contain sensitive information and support tasks such as maintaining voter records, preparing ballots, and coordinating polling-place operations. Cybersecurity best practices for elections should protect these systems from unauthorized access, disruption, and improper changes while preserving the accuracy and availability of election information.
Access to voter databases should be limited to personnel whose duties require it. Use unique accounts, multifactor authentication where available, and role-based permissions. Review access regularly, promptly disable accounts when roles change, and keep audit logs of searches and updates.
- Separate election management systems from general-purpose office networks where feasible.
- Apply security updates and use supported software and devices.
- Back up important data securely, and test restoration procedures.
- Require vendors to follow documented security practices and report incidents promptly.
Election officials should also verify that system changes are authorized and recorded. These measures help protect voter records and operational data without treating registration systems as vote-counting systems; their functions differ, and safeguards should reflect the specific system in use.
Restricting access to voter databases
Access to voter databases should be limited to authorized personnel whose duties require it. Election officials can use role-based permissions to ensure each account can view or change only the records needed for assigned tasks, reducing the risk of accidental exposure or unauthorized alteration.
Each user should have an individual account rather than sharing credentials, and access should be removed promptly when responsibilities change or employment ends. Strong authentication, including multifactor authentication where supported, can help prevent attackers from using stolen passwords to enter these systems.
Election administrators should review permissions regularly and keep auditable records of access and changes to voter data. Monitoring can help identify unusual activity, such as access at unexpected times or large-scale data exports, so it can be investigated promptly.
These measures support broader cybersecurity best practices for elections by protecting the confidentiality and accuracy of registration records. Access controls should also be tested periodically to confirm that permissions match current job responsibilities and applicable election procedures.
Protecting systems used to manage election operations
Election management systems support tasks such as preparing ballot styles, assigning polling places, scheduling workers, tracking equipment, and reporting results. Protecting these tools helps preserve the accuracy and availability of election operations without implying that every system is connected to vote-casting or tabulation equipment.
Limit administrative access to authorized personnel and assign permissions according to job responsibilities. Require multifactor authentication for remote access and privileged accounts, and use separate accounts for routine work and system administration. Maintain clear records of access and changes so unusual activity can be investigated.
Keep systems updated and securely configured, and disable unused accounts, services, and features. Back up essential operational data regularly, store copies separately from the live environment, and test restoration procedures. These cybersecurity best practices for elections can help jurisdictions maintain reliable operations while reducing the impact of compromise or system failure.
Use approved channels to exchange operational files with vendors and partners, and define security responsibilities in contracts. Before election periods, verify that essential systems, support contacts, and recovery procedures are available; document any outage and follow established contingency plans.
Strengthen Identity and Access Controls
Election personnel should receive only the access needed for their assigned duties, with permissions reviewed whenever roles change. Strong identity and access controls reduce the risk that stolen or misused credentials could expose voter information or disrupt election operations.
Use individual accounts rather than shared logins so activity can be traced to a specific user. Require multifactor authentication for sensitive systems, especially for remote access and accounts with administrative privileges. Apply secure password practices and promptly disable accounts when staff or contractors no longer need them.
- Limit administrative privileges and separate high-risk responsibilities where practical.
- Review access rights regularly, including before and after election periods.
- Use approved procedures to verify identity before resetting credentials or granting access.
These measures are a core part of cybersecurity best practices for elections and should be supported by clear policies, documented approvals, and staff training.
Protect Election Networks and Devices
Election networks should be separated from public-facing systems, such as websites and email platforms, to limit the spread of an intrusion. Network segmentation can restrict which devices and services communicate, reducing the chance that a compromise in one area will affect election operations.
Software, firmware, and equipment should be kept up to date with security patches, following tested procedures that protect availability during election periods. Secure configurations should disable unnecessary services, change default credentials, and limit remote access to authorized users.
Election officials should maintain an inventory of network-connected devices, including computers, servers, routers, and voting equipment. Knowing what is connected helps teams identify unauthorized or outdated devices and prioritize updates.
Continuous monitoring can reveal unusual connections or activity for investigation. These measures form practical Cybersecurity best practices for elections, helping protect the networks and devices that support election operations without disrupting their availability.
Segment election networks from public-facing systems
Election offices should separate public-facing systems, such as websites and email services, from networks used for voter registration, election management, and ballot processing. This limits the routes an attacker could use to move from a compromised internet-facing service toward sensitive election systems.
Use network segmentation, firewalls, and tightly controlled connections to enforce that separation. Permit only the communications required for specific operational tasks, and restrict administrative access to approved devices and accounts. Avoid direct connections between public services and systems that store or handle election data.
Segmentation should also account for third-party services and remote access. Vendors should connect only to the systems necessary for their work, through monitored, authorized pathways; unnecessary connections should be disabled. These controls support cybersecurity best practices for elections by reducing exposure without disrupting legitimate operations.
Election officials should test segmentation rules and review them when systems or services change. Monitoring traffic between network zones can help identify unexpected connections, while documented procedures enable staff to respond promptly if a boundary is crossed.
Patch and securely configure software and equipment
Apply security updates to election software, operating systems, firmware, and network equipment according to a documented schedule. Prioritize fixes for known vulnerabilities, while testing updates in a controlled environment before deployment to reduce the risk of disrupting election operations.
Where immediate patching is not feasible, document the reason, assess the exposure, and use temporary safeguards such as restricting access or disabling affected services. Establish clear responsibility for approving and tracking updates, including on equipment managed by third-party vendors.
Secure configuration reduces avoidable weaknesses. Change default credentials, disable unnecessary accounts and services, enforce approved encryption settings, and limit administrative privileges. Use standardized configuration baselines, then review systems regularly for unauthorized changes or settings that have drifted from approved requirements.
These measures support cybersecurity best practices for elections by reducing opportunities for attackers to exploit outdated or improperly configured equipment. Keep records of software versions, patches, configuration changes, and exceptions so election officials can verify that controls remain in place.
Inventory devices and monitor network activity
Election authorities need a current inventory of every device that connects to election systems, including servers, workstations, laptops, network equipment, and authorized removable media. Record each device’s owner, location, purpose, operating system, and support status, and update the inventory when equipment is added, moved, or retired.
A reliable inventory helps identify unauthorized or forgotten equipment and supports timely maintenance. Use it to confirm that only approved devices access election networks and that unsupported systems are assessed for replacement or isolation.
Monitor network activity to establish normal patterns and identify unusual connections, unexpected data transfers, or repeated failed access attempts. Centralized logging and alerts can help security teams investigate anomalies; retain logs securely and limit access to them.
As part of cybersecurity best practices for elections, maintain these records and monitoring procedures throughout the election cycle. Useful checks include:
- Reconcile physical devices against the inventory.
- Review alerts and logs for unexplained activity.
- Document findings and escalate suspected incidents through established channels.
Safeguard Ballot-Casting and Tabulation Systems
Ballot-casting and tabulation systems should be protected against unauthorized access, tampering, and disruption. Limit physical and digital access to authorized personnel, use unique accounts, and keep systems disconnected from the internet where operationally feasible. Any connectivity required for election duties should be documented and tightly controlled.
Use election-specific equipment and software in accordance with vendor guidance and applicable security requirements. Apply tested updates before an election, disable unnecessary features and services, and preserve approved configurations. Changes during voting or tabulation should be restricted, recorded, and reviewed.
Protect ballot records and results with auditable procedures. Reconcile machine totals with voter and ballot records, secure paper ballots and other records, and conduct post-election audits under established rules. These checks help identify discrepancies and provide independent evidence of the accuracy of reported outcomes.
Include ballot-casting and tabulation equipment in cybersecurity best practices for elections through pre-election testing, physical inspections, and documented chain-of-custody procedures. Maintain contingency plans for equipment failure so officials can continue operations without compromising ballot security or public confidence.
Secure Election Data and Communications
Election authorities should protect sensitive records, including voter information, ballot images where applicable, and election results, throughout their lifecycle. Apply encryption to data in transit and at rest, and limit access according to job responsibilities. Retention and deletion practices should follow applicable laws and records requirements.
Communications between election offices, polling places, vendors, and government partners should use approved, authenticated channels. Staff should verify unusual requests—especially those involving credentials, payments, or changes to election data—through a separate, trusted method before acting.
Maintain secure, tested backups of critical information and document how authorized staff can restore them. Keep backup access separate from routine accounts and networks where feasible, reducing the risk that one compromised account can affect both operational data and recovery copies.
These cybersecurity best practices for elections also include protecting the accuracy and provenance of public updates. Use controlled publishing access, preserve records of significant changes, and coordinate consistent, timely communications through official channels.
Prepare Election Staff and Vendors for Cyber Threats
Election personnel need practical training on phishing, impersonation, malicious attachments, and unusual requests for credentials or payment. Exercises should reflect election workflows, showing staff how to verify messages through trusted channels and report suspicious activity promptly.
Training should cover secure handling of voter and election data, use of approved devices and communication tools, strong authentication, and physical security for equipment and documents. Clear procedures help temporary workers and volunteers follow the same safeguards as permanent staff.
Vendors and contractors with access to election systems or data should meet defined security requirements. Election officials should assess their security practices, limit access to what each service requires, and confirm that vendors know how to report suspected incidents without delay.
Refresh training before each election and when systems or procedures change. These cybersecurity best practices for elections are more effective when responsibilities are documented, reporting routes are easy to find, and staff can practice their actions before a real incident occurs.
Detect, Report, and Respond to Election Cyber Incidents
Election officials should use centralized logging, endpoint protection, and network monitoring to identify unusual activity, such as unauthorized access attempts, unexpected system changes, or disrupted services. Monitoring should cover critical election systems while minimizing collection of unnecessary personal data.
Staff need clear, tested procedures for reporting suspected incidents promptly to designated security leads and relevant government partners. A report should record when the issue was detected, which systems may be affected, and what actions have already been taken. Staff should preserve logs and other evidence rather than investigate beyond their training.
A coordinated response plan should define responsibilities and include steps to:
- Isolate affected systems when safe to do so, limiting further access without disrupting essential operations unnecessarily.
- Assess the incident’s scope and protect the integrity and availability of election records.
- Notify appropriate authorities and communicate verified information through authorized channels.
These cybersecurity best practices for elections support a timely, evidence-based response and help officials distinguish technical incidents from unverified claims.
Verify Resilience Before, During, and After Election Day
Before Election Day, test backup procedures, communication channels, and recovery plans through exercises that reflect realistic disruptions, such as system outages or unavailable personnel. Confirm that backups are protected, accessible to authorized staff, and recent enough to support recovery.
During voting and counting, monitor systems and operational status using established procedures. Keep paper records and other legally authorized safeguards available where applicable, and ensure election officials know how to continue operations if digital tools become unavailable. Any contingency must comply with election law and preserve the chain of custody.
After the election, reconcile electronic results with required records, review logs, and document incidents or irregularities. Preserve relevant evidence and follow established retention and reporting rules. These checks help identify gaps and strengthen election cybersecurity practices before future elections.