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[POLITICS] · United States · 14 sources

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CISA releases election security plan 40 days before U.S. midterms

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a 13-page election infrastructure security plan titled ‘Securing the Next 250’ just 40 days before the November midterm elections. The plan outlines potential cyber and physical threats to voting systems and offers state and local officials voluntary, no-cost services, such as vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and tabletop exercises.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated that the plan is crucial for national security and intends for it to be fully implemented. However, the release has drawn criticism from election officials who argue the effort is ‘too little, too late.’ Critics, including Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, noted that the administration previously dismantled much of CISA’s election security role, cutting approximately 1,000 employees and $10 million from specific cybersecurity initiatives.

Some officials reported having to pay for private security services due to previous federal budget cuts. The agency has also operated without a Senate-confirmed director throughout the current term, utilizing acting leaders instead.

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Cisco Aguilar · Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency · Department of Homeland Security · Donald Trump · Markwayne Mullin

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