Updated
Cybersecurity
US says Russia conducted sustained disinformation campaign to sway 2024 election
The Justice Department unsealed an indictment accusing two Russian state media employees of contributing to the election influence efforts.
Cybersecurity
US agencies conclude Iran was behind hack targeting Trump campaign
The FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said they have “observed increasingly aggressive Iranian activity during this election cycle.”
Cybersecurity
CISA, FBI assert election infrastructure’s fortitude despite ransomware threat
Both organizations aim to instill confidence in U.S. voting infrastructure ahead of the 2024 elections.
Cybersecurity
Compromised DNC credentials found on Telegram bot, cyber firm says
Security researchers with ZeroFox identified stolen login information from Democratic-aligned accounts ahead of the party’s presidential nominating convention, but noted that some records “were previously observed in private threat actor-operated repositories.”
Cybersecurity
Researchers race to document voting machine vulnerabilities ahead of November
Voting machines are key physical targets in election fraud schemes. At the DEF CON hacking conference, cybersecurity experts have been working to safeguard them.
Cybersecurity
Iran is accelerating US election influence operations, Microsoft research says
One Iran-linked disinformation collective staged covert news websites that focused on politically divisive topics. Another group breached a low-level account in a county-level swing state.
Cybersecurity
Top US cyber agency hasn’t seen infamous Chinese hackers breach election infrastructure
A pervasive hacking collective being tracked by U.S. intelligence agencies hasn’t been seen breaking into any election infrastructure, but visibility into the group’s activities still isn’t clear, according to CISA Director Jen Easterly.
Artificial Intelligence
Major tech companies pledge efforts to monitor AI-based content ahead of 2024 election
Senate Intel Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., received responses from 19 tech companies pledging actions like content moderation, airtight watermarking and strict licensing practices.
Digital Government
Malicious foreign actors exploit US entities to push disinformation, IC warns
Communications and marketing firms can be pulled in as unwitting collaborators, the intelligence officials noted in a Monday call.
Artificial Intelligence
FCC proposes requiring advertisers to disclose AI in political ads on radio, TV
The proposal advanced over the opposition of its Republican commissioners, who warned that the measure risks interfering with the Federal Election Commission’s efforts to regulate AI-generated content in political ads.
Policy
Russian influence operations ‘preeminent threat’ to November election, officials warn
Moscow appears to continue favoring Donald Trump, while other nations will aim to sow divisional chaos online or sway broader geopolitical discussions.
Cybersecurity
Top CISA official pushes back against Elon Musk call to end electronic voting machines
Allegations of voting machine flaws were a flash point in the 2020 presidential election.
Cybersecurity
CISA, EAC release communications guide for state, local election offices
Amid growing distrust in democratic systems, the Biden administration is equipping governments with more resources to help keep their elections secure.
Artificial Intelligence
Use AI to fight AI-generated election threats, report recommends
Hyperlocal voter suppression, language-based influence operations and deepfakes were listed as the most likely AI-generated threats to upcoming elections.
Cybersecurity
Former NSA head feels ‘really good’ about election security come November
Paul Nakasone, the recently retired head of NSA and CYBERCOM, said the intelligence community has everything it needs to combat election interference attempts later this year.
Artificial Intelligence
Mastermind behind Biden AI robocalls faces potential $6M fine from FCC
Steve Kramer previously admitted to plotting the robocall scheme that told voters in the New Hampshire primary to “save” their votes for November.
Ideas
How government outreach can combat election disinformation
COMMENTARY | We need a solution in which messages are non-partisan, easily accessible and easy to understand.
Cybersecurity
Cyber, intel chiefs confident in election security but AI-manipulated content poses challenges
The threat environment is “more complex than ever,” said CISA director Jen Easterly.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers want EAC to develop guidance on AI’s risk to elections
A recently proposed House bill would require the Election Assistance Commission to create voluntary guidelines for election offices addressing the risks posed by artificial intelligence technologies.
Cybersecurity