Introduction
Ensuring election security in the United States is one of the biggest challenges. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has been commissioned by President Trump to enable election security, which is to be held in 2020. Now, despite containing the capability to deal with a safe and secure election process, there are some critical scenarios, which must be kept in a loop. In short, CISA must be aware of some possible uncertainties or loopholes, which can ruin its mission. In this brief study, the emphasis is on Possible Scenarios that Can Occur, drafting legislation, and performing the mission.
Possible Scenarios that Can Occur
There is a perception that the CISA is not well prepared regarding the 2020 election security. The risk of disinformation in the election campaigns is always in the limelight, and without some key measures, it will not be able to achieve its strategic goals and vision. It is one of the prominent scenarios, which may occur even in election campaigns. Despite having a good and reliable strategy, tactics are needed to execute the plan and satisfy all key stakeholders. GOA reports revealed that the institution is not in a better position to ensure election security. For Instance, a key possible scenario that can occur is the lack of ability to provide adequate tailoring services. If a candidate or election official is running its campaign on social media channels, it seems imperative for CISA to enable control and information security. Lack of access to social media channels is possible, and it is also a possible scenario.
Apart from it, CISA officials are aware of different kinds of cyberattacks. However, during the election campaigns or even on Election Day, CISA may not be able to respond effectively due to a different or misinformed cyber-attack. It can be said that the new kind of cyber-attack and its consequences can disable CISA to react accordingly. Thus, incident response capabilities are always in jeopardy (Gates, 2020).
Attaining the mission is one of the biggest challenges for CISA. The CISA may lack the budget or other resources to achieve its purpose or strategic goals in the election. For Instance, the lack of budget will lead to inadequate staffing to manage or organize the security infrastructure. During the election campaigns, the CISA may not have the number of people to conduct several activities according to plans. This possible scenario, which is visible due to reports and investigations, makes the election security risks (Brumfield, 2019).
Another scenario that can occur for CISA is the lack of coordination between election officials and itself. For Instance, CISA management or administration must be aware of the busy schedule of election candidates. Even, they often improvise during their election campaigns. Therefore, if CISA fails or delivers an unclassified version of briefings regarding security to elect candidates and IT professionals, risk can be increased. Of course, it can also reduce the ability to provide an adequate response accordingly (Johnson, 2020).
It seems imperative for CISA to understand the possible security vulnerabilities in different states. The homework has been done to secure the voting infrastructure. However, there are many security vulnerabilities, which are new and never experienced before in election campaigns. Due to technological advancements, the voting infrastructure has become more complicated for the agency. The CISA must be aware that these security vulnerabilities will be increasing with the time until the end of the 2020 election campaigns and voting system. Thus, accordingly, an adequate plan or strategy must be shaped, and according to reports, CISA is still planning and shaping policies (Stone, 2020).
CISA needs to be Aware of Draft Legislation
Now, based on these possibilities or scenarios, CISA must create the urgency regarding legislation drafting. It is a fact that the election commission and government have legislated the election campaigns. The most important thing for the CISA administration is to stimulate its capacity to integrate with the drafted legislation. In short, all plans or strategies, including operational plans, must be aligned with the legislation. It seems imperative for the administration to enhance the visibility of official or candidate’s satisfaction during the election campaign, and alignment or drafting legislation is the best way to make the difference. All scenarios are to be assessed or tested in the light of the drafted legislation, and it seems the right approach.
CISA can Perform its Mission
CISA is struggling due to the inability to make proper plans or operational strategies. However, still, it can achieve its mission by completing its homework. The best way to fulfill its mission is to test scenarios before making or shaping these strategies. With the same mission and vision statement, CISA is always in a better position to improvise with its strategy, which is related to election security (Johnsonfeb, 2020).
Conclusion
In the end, it is to conclude that CISA can anticipate the consequences of these scenarios and the possible impact in the possible response. CISA must stimulate its capacity to make flexible strategies, and in a different scenario, it may be able to change the strategy. It is the best way to be prepared and beneficial in the 2020 election. Of course, Candidates and national security departments may have concerns over preparations or planning. However, CISA must show its commitments and alignment with the mission to enhance satisfaction regarding all key stakeholders.
References
Brumfield, C. (2019, September 23). CISA’s Krebs seeks more measured approach to election security heading into 2020. Retrieved from https://www.csoonline.com/article/3440457/cisa-s-krebs-seeks-more-measured-approach-to-election-security-heading-into-2020.html
Gates, M. (2020, February 7). Watchdog Finds CISA Election Strategy Incomplete. Retrieved from https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2020/february/Watchdog-Finds-CISA-Election-Strategy-Incomplete/
Johnson, D. B. (2020, february 6). CISA “not well-positioned” to execute nationwide election security strategy in 2020. Retrieved from https://fcw.com/articles/2020/02/06/gao-cisa-election-ding.aspx
Johnsonfeb, D. b. (2020, February 14). CISA outlines its role in helping states with election security. Retrieved from https://gcn.com/articles/2020/02/14/cisa-role-election-security.aspx
Stone, J. (2020, February 7). GAO: CISA’s ‘nationwide strategy’ on election security should be enacted as soon as possible. Retrieved from https://www.cyberscoop.com/election-security-cisa-gao-report/
