Improvement But Concerns Remain About DHS's Role in Our Election Process

There is a push in some quarters to have a larger role for the Department of Homeland Security in our elections.  Last Friday, once again, news came out that should cause all to pause in consideration of such an idea. 

The Department of Homeland Security said earlier this year that it had evidence of Russian activity in 21 states, but it failed to inform individual states whether they were among those targeted. Instead, DHS authorities say they told those who had "ownership" of the systems — which in some cases were private vendors or local election offices.

To be clear, the Trump Administration Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been better than the Obama Administration DHS.  At least they are telling people what is happening. 

"Most importantly, DHS acknowledged that they had contacted the wrong people at the state level and will rectify that going forward by communicating with each state's chief election officials," says [National Association of Secretaries of States] spokesman Stephen Reed. "Finally finding out this information from DHS allows the chief elections officials to move forward on this matter."

However, this whole process calls into question and continues to raise concerns about what a future DHS may do.  It bears remembering that the Obama DHS when considering how to counter a Russian hacking threat drew up plans that included sending armed law enforcement agents to polling places.  As Time magazine reported earlier this year:

President Obama’s White House quietly produced a plan in October to counter a possible Election Day cyber attack that included extraordinary measures like sending armed federal law enforcement agents to polling places, mobilizing components of the military and launching counter-propaganda efforts.

While all can agree that DHS is doing better, serious concerns remain about a larger role in elections for DHS going forward, such as with the designation of election systems as critical infrastructure.  

ICYMI - DHS IP Address Attempted to Hack GA Secretary of State

Shortly after the election, there was an attempted hack of the Georgia Secretary of State's network, which was traced to the Department of Homeland Security:

Georgia’s top election official this week accused the U.S. Department of Homeland Security of trying to hack a computer network containing the state’s voter registration database. 

Brian Kemp, Georgia’s secretary of state, demanded information about the alleged intrusion attempt in a letter sent Thursday to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. 

“On Nov. 15, an IP address associated with the Department of Homeland Security made an unsuccessful attempt to penetrate the Georgia Secretary of State’s firewall. I am writing you to ask whether DHS was aware of this attempt and, if so, why DHS was attempting to breach our firewall,” Mr. Kemp wrote. 

“At no time has my office agreed to or permitted DHS to conduct penetration testing or security scans of our network,” he added. “Moreover, your department has not contacted my office since this unsuccessful incident to alert us of any security event that would require testing or scanning of our network. This is especially odd and concerning since I serve on the Election Cyber Security Working Group that your office created.”

Not having received any satisfactory answer or explanation from Obama's DHS, Sec. Kemp is now asking President-elect Trump to investigate when he takes office:

Kemp said he is not satisfied with the response from current DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson.  

"Since contacting DHS with these concerns, we have collaborated with the agency and provided extensive, additional information," Kemp wrote. "Last night I received a letter from Secretary Johnson which lacked any specific information as to the attacks' intent or origin despite the fact that many questions remain unanswered." . . . 

DHS has offered several different, yet unconvincing, reasons for the attempted breach of Georgia's systems, leaving Sec. Kemp to wonder if his opposition to DHS overseeing elections was the reason for the attempted breach:

Kemp, who sits on a DHS-managed election cybersecurity working group, has also been the most vocal critic of the idea of adding elections to DHS’s portfolio of critical infrastructure systems. 

“The people of Georgia are very concerned about what exactly happened here, and they are demanding transparent and honest answers,” Kemp told Trump. “It appears that will not happen with the current administration.”

We trust that the Trump DHS under Secretary Kelly will take this breach seriously and investigate the source.

Chairman McCaul: Leadership in Addressing the Foreign and Domestic Homeland Security Issues

The RNLA is pleased to announce that Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee will be addressing a special luncheon in New York City this Monday, June 8 where he will be discussing issues facing the committee from his perspective as Chair.

Recently, the Homeland Security Committee has tackled many important issues in recent hearings:

Terrorism Gone Viral: The Attack in Garland, Texas and Beyond

Chairman McCaul said:  “The proliferation of jihadist propaganda online has established a new front in our battle against Islamist extremists. We are no longer hunting terrorists living in caves who only communicate through couriers. We are facing an enemy whose messages and calls to violence are posted and promoted in real-time. For example, last month, the threat level at military bases across the country was elevated after ISIS supporters posted the names of individuals serving in the military online and quickly spread on social media.”

Passing Legislation Protecting Digital Networks From Dangerous and Destructive Cyber Attacks

Chairman McCaul said: “American companies will have the tools they need to better protect their digital networks with this legislation. We live in an ever-evolving threat environment where cyber attacks are personally affecting Americans, as well as our businesses and the government’s ability to defend the United States. Removing the legal barriers for the voluntary sharing of cyber threats will help keep malicious nation states and cyber criminals out of our vital digital networks. This bipartisan, pro-privacy, pro-security bill has been three years and hundreds of stakeholder meetings in the making. I look forward to moving this landmark bill over to the Senate and getting it to the President’s desk as quickly as possible.”

Cybersecurity Legislation

Chairman McCaul said: “This cybersecurity bill, now headed for the House Floor, is the result of extensive bipartisan coordination in Congress and months of regular meetings and consultation with industry and privacy advocates. This bill is supported by Republicans and Democrats alike because it protects Americans’ private information and encourages voluntary information-sharing about cyber threats to safeguard America’s digital networks. I thank the Members of the Committee for reporting out a bipartisan bill that helps protect America’s digital landscape.”

RNLA is very excited to host this leader in the fight to protect the homeland.  To sign up go here.   With questions or to RSVP for a pay at the door tickets (note prices increase at the door), email ny608@republicanlaywer.net.