As midterm primary elections inch closer and closer, cybersecurity of election systems is top of mind across the nation. Seventeen states requested on-site risk assessments from the Department of Homeland Security to ensure elections are secure against cyber-tampering. Idaho was not one of those states but election officials say the Gem State is involved in informal conversations with both DHS and the FBI regarding election cybersecurity. That includes constant vulnerability scans. … Just last week, election officials implemented several DHS processes and recommendations to keep state elections secure. But among Idaho’s high-tech security measures, the state’s best defense against a potential threat is much simpler.
“One of the biggest security features we have in this state is none of the voting systems are connected to the internet in any way,” said Chief Deputy of Secretary of State Timothy Hurst.
And, all elections are paper-based.
“We still have 12 counties that vote strictly by paper ballot and they are counted by hand, the other have electronic tabulation systems but they are still fill in the bubble or fill in the square, they are all paper-based,” said Hurst.
Full Article: ktvb.com | As midterm primary elections approach, cybersecurity is top of mind.