Election Security

On January 6, 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated elections as critical infrastructure. Although individual state and local jurisdictions conduct elections, protecting election infrastructure is a national responsibility shared between federal, state, and local governments and their private sector partners. In addition to being a whole-of-government and cross-sector responsibility, election security involves multiple aspects of homeland security. These include cybersecurity, physical security, supply chain security, and emergency communications—all areas in which Lafayette Group possesses significant expertise.

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The dynamic combination of subject-matter experts, management consultants, design specialists, and researchers has enabled Lafayette Group to become an integral partner in assisting Federal clients with their election security efforts. Lafayette Group's contribution to CISA’s election security mission began with stakeholder engagement and outreach, specifically to state and local election authorities. Lafayette Group has broadened CISA’s engagement and outreach efforts to include election industry partners and political campaigns. Lafayette Group's contribution is also expanding into additional election security priorities for CISA, including strategic planning and training and exercises.

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Stakeholder Engagement & Outreach

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Lafayette Group supports CISA in communicating election security priorities, guidance, and resources to state and local election authorities as well as their private sector partners. The U.S. election infrastructure is both decentralized and highly interconnected, meaning its security is only as strong as its weakest link. Stakeholder engagement and outreach is therefore a crucial first step toward enhancing the security posture of the election community.

State & Local Plans and Products

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Lafayette Group collaborates with state and local election authorities to create and distribute customized documents that stakeholders use to communicate CISA’s priorities, guidance, and resources to  their employees, partners, and constituents. These products serve as tools that state and local election authorities can use to bolster confidence in and drive progress toward enhancing election security.

Industry Plans & Products

The elections industry—primarily, election technology providers and their business partners—establish the technological foundation of American democracy and are therefore essential for ensuring election security. Lafayette Group collaborates with election technology providers to develop products that communicate CISA’s priorities, guidance, and resources to their employees, partners, and customers.

Campaigns Support

Securing political campaigns and other partisan organizations against cyberattacks, in particular, is another election security priority for CISA. Lafayette Group helps CISA engage these entities and develop products that provide them with guidance for managing specific risks.

Training & Exercises

Lafayette Group election security subject-matter experts, with support from the rest of our team, supplement CISA’s efforts to build capacity among election personnel at state and local election authorities through trainings and exercises. Lafayette Group also develops products to support these events, including an Election Security Field Guide that stakeholders can use as a reference guide and training tool.