An Analysis of Cybersecurity in Congress and Political Campaigns

Abstract

Cyberattacks from foreign adversaries are increasingly threatening the American democratic process and the secure operation of our government. Recent events, like the Russian interference in the 2016 United States Presidential elections, highlight the drastic consequences that can occur when foreign adversaries exploit vulnerabilities in congressional and campaign offices. This paper investigates the current status of cybersecurity in Congress and on political campaigns by assessing both the cyber preparedness of congressional and campaign staffers and the security of outward facing campaign and congressional websites. We find that despite the understood importance of cybersecurity, Congress and political campaigns remain susceptible to attacks, which could have significant financial costs and political consequences in the next few years. Finally, we delineate several recommendations to mitigate this risk for the upcoming 2020 election.