DES MOINES – Election cybersecurity is a race without a finish line, and Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and CIO Shane Dwyer are recognizing the planning and training necessary to secure Iowa’s election process throughout October, which is widely recognized as National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Iowans have asked for an increased focus on election security and integrity. Through a wide range of partnerships, including Iowa’s Office of the Chief Information Officer, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, FBI, Iowa Department of Public Safety, Iowa National Guard, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, county auditors, and precinct election officials, the Office of the Iowa Secretary of State has made the protecting the vote a number one priority.
“I want Iowans to know we are protecting the integrity of their vote and we are being transparent in securing our elections,” said Secretary Pate. “Protecting the integrity and security of state’s elections is a team effort, and we have built the strongest team possible. I am confident, and the public should be reassured, that we are taking each and every step to protect their vote in all 99 counties.”
Local election officials in all 99 counties participate in training and preparedness exercises throughout the year to strengthen cybersecurity measures, including general cybersecurity training, intrusion detection, malware prevention, and constant monitoring.
“Cyber threats are constantly evolving and collaborations like the one between OCIO and the Office of the Iowa Secretary of State are critical in bolstering our cyber maturity and strengthening critical processes like Iowa’s elections,” said Dwyer. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but these ongoing partnerships have proven to reinforce our cybersecurity efforts across the state.”
Assessing and understanding cybersecurity risks is a vital task for every organization. In 2020, the Secretary of State’s Office launched a Vulnerability Disclosure Program, bolstering cyber maturity through responsible testing and reporting of systems.
Secretary Pate’s Office has prioritized cybersecurity for the last several years. Secretary Pate received the prestigious IDEAS Award from the National Association of Secretaries of State in 2019 for its “Roadmap to Election Cybersecurity” initiative. Election cybersecurity needs are consistently evolving, and Secretary Pate continues to find innovative ways to strengthen Iowa’s cybersecurity each year.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an initiative lead by the Department of Homeland Security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. This year marks 20th anniversary of the first Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The 2023 theme is “It’s Easy to Stay Safe Online.”