CISA’s Election Security Initiative (ESI) is hosting a series of virtual trainings for election infrastructure stakeholders later this month. Held from August 25 to 28 and September 1 to 4, the series will cover election security topics relevant to election officials as they make their final preparations for the November general elections, including ransomware, risk management, public communications, and relevant CISA resources and services. Week 1 and Week 2 will cover the same material and participants may join for any combination of the trainings over the two weeks.

The session on Tuesday, September 1 is titled “Election Security Risk in Focus: Ransomware”.

Session Description: Ransomware is an ongoing risk to the election infrastructure. This presentation describes what ransomware is, attack vectors used, how it impacts state, local, tribal, and territorial government entities, and specifically how it can impact election infrastructure. The session provides an overview of resources, services, and best practices to protect, detect, respond, and recover from a ransomware attack.

Presenters: Ryan Macias, CISA Election Security Expert Consultant; Mike Woodward, MS-ISAC Cyber Threat Intel Analyst; Tim Davis, EI-ISAC Elections Operations Analyst

If you experience any difficulties with registration, please contact Kathryn Babbin at Kathryn.Babbin@cisa.dhs.gov.

Register for Other Sessions Below:

Week 1

Tuesday, August 25, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT - Election Security Risk in Focus: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/116482932587

Thursday, August 27, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT - Managing Risk in a Dynamic Election Environment https://www.eventbrite.com/e/116493255463

Friday, August 28, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT - Public Communications in a Dynamic Election Environment https://www.eventbrite.com/e/116499795023

Week 2

Wednesday, September 2, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EDT - Managing Risk in a Dynamic Election Environment https://www.eventbrite.com/e/116497161145

Friday, September 4, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EDT - Public Communications in a Dynamic Election Environment https://www.eventbrite.com/e/116499887299

Note:

In addition to this national training series, CISA is offering these trainings at the individual state level as well (e.g., via state election offices or state associations of local election officials). Training content can be tailored upon request, depending on stakeholder needs. Interested stakeholders should contact David Kuennen at david.kuennen@cisa.dhs.gov.

Week 2 - Election Security Risk in Focus: Ransomware