Election Cybersecurity Seminar

Mandiant Academy, now part of Google Cloud, is proud to present this one-day cybersecurity seminar focusing on securing the network against attacks from those looking to disrupt free and fair elections. Cyber threats to democracy are a growing global challenge for government agencies, elected officials, and election campaigns. The election process involves the protection of many attacker-targeted technologies. The need for protection of election campaigns, election administration, and election systems must include third-party and supply chain compromise assessment and mitigation strategies to adequately defend democracies and elections from influence, disruption, and compromise. The seminar opens with a lecture titled “Combating Election Disinformation: Tactics, Detection, and Response.” Participants are then invited to attend one of two follow-on lectures, depending on their interest and role within the election enterprise: “Election Cybersecurity Essentials for Officials, Administrators, and Staff” or “Securing Election Infrastructure: Technical Safeguards and Implementation.”

Follow-on lectures

Election Cybersecurity Essentials for Officials, Administrators, and Staff

This introductory lecture provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity risks facing elections. Gain a fundamental understanding of threats like phishing, malware, and disinformation. Learn practical strategies to protect voter registration systems, voting equipment, and election data. Discover best practices for incident response and public communication in the event of a security breach.

Securing Election Infrastructure: Technical Safeguards and Implementation

Designed for IT professionals and election administrators, this lecture delves into technical cybersecurity measures. Learn best practices to protect network infrastructure, implement access controls, and encrypt sensitive data. Develop vulnerability testing protocols, patch management strategies, and robust incident response plans tailored to election systems.

Election officials, election staff, security staff, IT administrators, or other staff who need a general understanding of security operations and security program organization.

In-classroom or virtual instructor-led training.

• 1 day (in-person delivery) 
• 1 day (virtual delivery)

Students are required to bring their own laptop with an internet connection and modern browser. Learners will receive a lab book and all required class materials.