The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for August 1, 2023
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
The head of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, known as CISA, spoke July 25th to state election directors, announcing an investment in new regional staff helping states protect their elections. She also cited artificial intelligence as an emerging threat.
CISA Director Jen Easterly is a West Point graduate and Oxford Rhodes Scholar who retired as a Lt. Colonel from the US Cyber Command after 20 years of service. She received two Bronze Stars, and was later nominated by President Biden for the CISA post in 2021.
Easterly told election directors that the difference in cyber security for elections was QUOTE “Night & Day,” compared with 2016, and that information sharing of intelligence on emerging threats to elections would continue to be core to CISA’s mission. Easterly told the Associated Press that she sees artificial intelligence in the hands of bad actors as a concern, but that she had confidence in the security of the 2024 election itself.
Easterly noted that CISA is adding additional regional election security advisors to consult on with states and municipalities, and said at the end of her speech:
“As we know, elections are the golden thread that run through our democracy. Election security is not a partisan issue; rather it is an issue of preserving that foundational fabric of our democracy.”
We have a link to her speech and to the CISA website at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – Director Easterly’s Remarks to the National Association of State Election Directors’ Summer Conference
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – Bio of Director Jen Easterly
Associated Press – Head of US cybersecurity agency sees progress on election security, with more work needed for 2024
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – Election Security Rumor vs. Reality
U.S. Congress – Election Worker Protection Act
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause Election Disinformation, Protect Democracy, Election Worker Legal Defense Network
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