WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) introduced the Strengthening Election Cybersecurity to Uphold Respect for Elections through Independent Testing (SECURE IT) Act. This bill aims to enhance election security by requiring voting systems to undergo simulated attacks as part of their certification process to safeguard against foreign and domestic threats.
“People need to have confidence in their vote and our elections in order for democracy to succeed,” emphasized Congressman Valadao in support of the SECURE IT Act. He highlighted that the legislation is crucial for identifying and rectifying vulnerabilities in voting systems that could be exploited by malicious actors.
Similarly, Congresswoman Spanberger expressed concern over ongoing attempts by foreign entities to interfere with U.S. elections, stating, “The sanctity of our free and fair elections is core to our identity as Americans.” She underscored the importance of bipartisan efforts to fortify election infrastructure and defend against external threats.
The SECURE IT Act proposes that the Elections Assistance Commission (EAC) mandate cybersecurity penetration testing for voting systems to detect vulnerabilities. This testing involves simulated attacks by researchers using cybercriminal techniques to uncover potential weaknesses. Additionally, the bill advocates for a voluntary program enabling vetted researchers to assess voting systems voluntarily provided by manufacturers, facilitating the discovery and disclosure of vulnerabilities to enhance overall security.
The introduction of the SECURE IT Act signifies a proactive approach by lawmakers to strengthen election cybersecurity and uphold the integrity of the democratic process against evolving threats.
