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Iowa Officials Stepping Up Cybersecurity As Election Approaches

October 30, 2023 Steve Schwaller

(Undated)– As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the State of Iowa is focusing on potential threats to the online integrity of upcoming elections. Given the increasing importance of electronic information and a reliance on data being stored “in the cloud”, Iowa’s Chief Information Security Officer Shane Dwyer says the state is bolstering cybersecurity across all platforms. This includes investing in intrusion-detection systems, firewalls, 24-7 monitoring devices, and better communication with election officials statewide…

“We have a presence in all 99 counties from a security tooling and monitoring perspective. I think those are really critical things for Iowans to understand. We’re looking at things from multiple layers to ensure that your vote is secure.”

While the integrity of election-related information is critical, Dwyer says cybersecurity goes beyond election season. He cautions people to be careful with their personal information, no matter what they are doing online. He adds local governments need to take the lead…

“Really Security Awareness Month is about having discussions in your communities about the importance of cyber security and really building up a knowledge within those communities. Almost everyone is fully engrained in technology and I think those discussions are extremely crucial.”

Online awareness is also increasingly important as the holidays near. Officials have warned people to be on alert for cyber scams as they use credit cards and personal information to shop online.

(Courtesy Iowa News Service)

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