U.S. intelligence and security agencies will host senior election officials from all 50 states to inform them about the threats to the integrity of the elections and security measures they can take, Reuters informs. The briefings are classified and according to the office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), they are part of the effort to ensure the integrity and security of the nation’s election infrastructure.
“The briefings will focus on increasing awareness of foreign adversary intent and capabilities against the states’ election infrastructure, as well as a discussion of threat mitigation efforts,” the ODNI said in a statement.
State officials will be hosted by ODNI, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security. The officials will see classified examples of recent attempted and successful interference by hostile parties in U.S. election systems. They will also be advised on possible security enhancements, according to an official familiar with the briefings.
Dan Coats, the Director of National Intelligence, recently warned that “persistent and disruptive cyber operations will continue against the United States and the European allies, using elections as opportunities to undermine democracy, sow discord and undermine our values.”
“Frankly, the United States is under attack,” Coats told a U.S. Senate committee, adding that he had seen evidence that Russia is targeting midterm elections and government races.
The meetings this weekend will include discussions of foreign attempts to use social and mainstream media to influence U.S. citizens before elections, the unnamed official familiar with the meetings, stated. The official emphasized that they are trying to arm state officials with information which they could use to take action.
Meanwhile, the White House blamed Russia for the “NotPetya” cyber attack last year, joining the British government in condemning Moscow for unleashing a virus that crippled parts of Ukraine’s infrastructure and damaged computers from all around the world, Reuters reported. Russia denied the allegations and said that the accusations were part of a “Russophobic” campaign that it said was being waged by some Western countries.
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