The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has announced a temporary halt to its election security activities as it undertakes a thorough review of its programs and services related to election integrity. Since its inception in 2017, CISA has been pivotal in assisting state and local governments in securing election infrastructure. However, acting director Bridget Bean has initiated a comprehensive assessment of all election-related activities to ensure alignment with the agency's mission. This review, which encompasses every agency position and performance plan tied to election security, is set to conclude by March 6.
The decision to pause CISA's election security efforts reflects the agency's commitment to examining its role in managing misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation (MDM) issues. Employees involved in these activities have been placed on administrative leave as of February 7, pending the outcome of the review. The scope of the assessment includes support services provided to the election community and election security guidance and publications. CISA aims to "deliver a more focused provision of services for elections security activities" once the review is complete.
Since its establishment, CISA has played an essential role in bolstering the security of voting infrastructure, working closely with election officials to enhance both physical and digital safeguards. The agency's initiatives have included hardening polling places against potential threats, such as active shooters, and developing contingency plans for unforeseen challenges like ballot shortages or power outages. Despite these efforts, CISA has faced scrutiny over its handling of misinformation and disinformation, leading to a reduction in discussions with tech platforms following backlash.
Bridget Bean, a Trump-era appointee at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has emphasized the necessity of refocusing CISA's mission. She stated that it is crucial "to rescope the agency's election security activities to ensure CISA is focused exclusively on executing its cyber and physical security mission."
“correct any activities identified as past misconduct by the Federal Government related to censorship of protected speech” – Bridget Bean
“deliver a more focused provision of services for elections security activities” – Bridget Bean
“It is necessary to rescope the agency's election security activities to ensure CISA is focused exclusively on executing its cyber and physical security mission” – Bridget Bean
The pause in CISA's operations comes amidst broader political directives. A January 20 directive from former President Trump urged an investigation into Biden-administration activities deemed "inconsistent" with his commitment to ending online censorship. Although the directive does not reference activities before Biden's tenure, including CISA's 2020 election work, it underscores ongoing tensions around government involvement in information management.
CISA has denied allegations of engaging in censorship, with the U.S. Supreme Court dismissing a lawsuit challenging government actions. Despite this legal reprieve, Congressional Republicans have criticized CISA as "the nerve center of the federal government’s domestic surveillance and censorship operations on social media."
“the nerve center of the federal government’s domestic surveillance and censorship operations on social media” – Congressional Republicans
As part of its review, CISA will assess "all personnel, contracts, grants, programs, products, services, and activities," along with "every election security and [mis-, dis-, and malinformation] product, activity, service, and program that has been carried out," according to Bridget Bean.
“all personnel, contracts, grants, programs, products, services, and activities” – Bridget Bean
“as well as every election security and [mis-, dis-, and malinformation] product, activity, service, and program that has been carried out” – Bridget Bean
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