On June 7 the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism (INSCT) hosted one of a series of statewide exercises that focus on cybersecurity preparedness and response to threats to New York State election systems. These first-of-their-kind tabletop exercises are sponsored by the New York State Board of Elections (BOE) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the New York Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, New York State Police and the New York State Intelligence Center.
Taking place in the College of Law, the Onondaga County tabletop exercise—like the other five regional exercises—was designed to identify areas for improvement in cyber incident planning, preparedness and response through realistic scenarios that simulate the undermining of voter confidence, voting operations interference and attacks on the integrity of elections.
State and local officials, led by the BOE and DHS Cyber Incident Response Team, will utilize information gleaned from these tabletop exercises with state, local and federal stakeholders to identify risks and develop necessary steps to safeguard the election process.
Contoured for each region, the scenarios are based on a combination of real-world events and potential risks facing election infrastructure. These threats include possible social media manipulation, disruption of voter registration information systems and processes, attacks on voting machines and the exploitation of board of elections business networks.
The tabletop exercises are part of a BOE cybersecurity plan that was approved on May 3 to further strengthen cyber protections for New York’s elections infrastructure through the Secure Elections Center.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.
The contentious 2022 midterm elections are not quite finished—next week’s runoff in the race for the Georgia Senate seat pits Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock against Republican Herschel Walker—but following a grueling campaign season, the American people went out and cast…
In Peru, Hugo Brousset ’13 pursued his keen interest in social issues throughout his education and early career—from undergraduate studies in anthropology, to a master’s degree in public policy, to four years working with a government-connected national organization on anti-poverty…
The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications today announced the appointment of veteran political journalist Margaret Talev as the Kramer Director of the Syracuse University Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship Institute. Talev will be based in Washington, D.C., and report to…
In 2011, when Zuleika Rivera came to Syracuse from Puerto Rico for her undergraduate studies, she planned to pursue political science as a step toward the law career and social justice work she’d long envisioned, and she also hoped to…
Yasmin Nayrouz is a junior, studying public relations in the Newhouse School and English in the College of Arts and Sciences. This October, she received the Voyager Scholarship from the Obama Foundation, awarded to students who bridge divides and work to solve…
If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.
