In a concerted effort to fortify the integrity of America’s democratic processes, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) have jointly released a comprehensive guidance document.
Titled “Securing Election Infrastructure Against the Tactics of Foreign Malign Influence Operations,” the comprehensive guidance document delineates the latest tactics employed by foreign adversaries to manipulate U.S. policies, decisions, and discourse, with a particular focus on election infrastructure vulnerabilities.
The guidance meticulously outlines prevalent tactics utilized in foreign malign influence operations, furnishing real-world examples and prescribing potential mitigations for stakeholders within the election infrastructure realm.
While many of these tactics are not novel, the proliferation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology has significantly facilitated the creation and dissemination of persuasive malign content by adversaries.
Comprehensive Guidance Document: Commitment to Defending Democracy
Highlighting the paramount importance of safeguarding the electoral process, CISA Senior Advisor Cait Conley emphasized, “The elections process is the golden thread of American democracy, which is why our foreign adversaries deliberately target our elections infrastructure with their influence operations. Defending our democratic process is the responsibility of all of us.”
Conley reiterated CISA’s unwavering commitment to equipping election officials and the American public with the necessary tools and knowledge to counter foreign influence and ensure the conduct of secure and transparent elections in 2024 and beyond.
Collaborative Vigilance and Action
Acting Assistant Director Joseph Rothrock of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division highlighted the collaborative approach in combating foreign malign influence, stating, “We are putting out this guide because our strategy in combatting this threat starts with awareness and collaboration. We will continue to relentlessly pursue bad actors looking to disrupt our election infrastructure.”
Rothrock emphasized the FBI’s relentless pursuit of perpetrators seeking to undermine the integrity of U.S. election infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of awareness and proactive measures in countering such threats.
ODNI Foreign Malign Influence Center Director Jessica Brandt elucidated on the evolving landscape of influence activities, characterizing them as a “whole-of-society challenge” for the Intelligence Community and broader governmental, industrial, and civil society stakeholders.
Brandt emphasized the imperative for collective action to confront the normalization of malign influence activities, particularly in light of advancing technologies that exacerbate the threat landscape.
Response to the Russian Cyber Campaign
The issuance of the guidance follows proactive measures taken by CISA in response to a targeted Russian cyber campaign known as Midnight Blizzard.
Orchestrated by state-sponsored Russian actors, the campaign aimed to infiltrate Microsoft corporate email accounts, raising concerns regarding potential access to correspondence with Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agencies.
In response, CISA swiftly issued Emergency Directive 24-02 to address and mitigate the threat posed by the Russian cyber campaign.
In the face of evolving cyber threats and foreign malign influence operations, the collaborative efforts of U.S. agencies highlight a proactive approach to defending the integrity of democratic processes and preserving public trust in electoral institutions.
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