Military Cyber Forces to Help Protect U.S. Election Systems Ahead of Midterms
Nivedita Chakrapani, Jadetimes staff
U.S. military cybersecurity and intelligence forces will assist in protecting election systems ahead of the November midterm elections, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday.
The National Security Agency and other military cyber units are expected to help monitor and defend election infrastructure against potential foreign cyber threats. Election systems have been designated critical infrastructure since 2017, and federal cybersecurity assistance to state and local election officials has been used during previous election cycles.
The announcement comes as election officials across the country prepare for the November 3 midterm elections, with early voting already underway in some jurisdictions.
According to the Associated Press, Hegseth said in a September 22 memorandum that defense agencies should use available resources to protect election systems from foreign influence and help ensure that voters can participate without intimidation.
The expanded military role comes after changes to the federal government's civilian election-security infrastructure. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, was established within the Department of Homeland Security to help protect critical infrastructure, including election systems.
Election security has remained a major issue in U.S. politics following repeated concerns about cyberattacks, foreign interference and the security of voting infrastructure.
The Pentagon's involvement is expected to focus primarily on cybersecurity and intelligence capabilities rather than the administration of elections, which remains largely handled by state and local authorities.
Officials have not indicated that the military will directly operate voting systems. Instead, its role is expected to involve identifying and responding to potential cyber threats and sharing relevant security information with election authorities.
With the midterm elections approaching, cybersecurity experts and election officials are continuing to emphasize the importance of protecting voter registration databases, election-management systems and other digital infrastructure from disruption.
The November elections will determine control of seats in the U.S. Congress as voters choose members of the House of Representatives and Senate, along with thousands of state and local officials.
The situation remains under active development as federal and state authorities continue preparations for Election Day.
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