Sharing the Facts About the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

The Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently implemented significant budget restrictions at the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), including cutting $10 million annually from its funding to Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) and terminating contracts for approximately 100 personnel. These cuts immediately reduced frontline support available to state and local election officials for election security efforts.

Established in 2018 under President Trump’s first administration, CISA supports election officials by sharing cyber threat information, identifying national risks to election infrastructure, and providing best practices for mitigating election security risks. The independent agency also funds improvements to election-related cyber protections, and advises state and local election officials on strengthening election infrastructure in their jurisdictions.

CISA’s ability to support election security efforts—particularly cyber and foreign threats—is now in question. With federal support for election integrity infrastructure waning, here are a few key takeaways to consider:

• Everyday Americans will pay the price for the federal government rolling back funding and election integrity resources.
  • Decreased federal resources mean state officials who oversee elections must do more with less – stretching local resources even further to ensure every vote remains secure.
• This isn’t an abstract disruption. With less support to improve election security, our election infrastructure will be more vulnerable to cyberattacks and outside influence.
  • State and local election officials are on the front lines of protecting our democracy, but many lack the resources and specific expertise to address complex security risks alone.
• Federal, state, and local governments all play a role in maintaining trust in our elections and democracy—and helping to coordinate the many people and institutions involved.
  • CISA’s work helps to keep our elections free, safe, and secure. The election officials and local law enforcement involved in running elections and keeping them safe rely on CISA resources and guidance to coordinate across things like government systems and emergency services.
  • State and local officials set election rules, oversee voting, supervise vote counts, certify the results, and defend the will of the voters in court. Now, they must also prepare to maintain the integrity of our elections with reduced support in cybersecurity, foreign influence, and election infrastructure protections.
• Election security is national security.
  • In an era of increasing and evolving cyber threats, CISA has functioned as a nonpartisan guardian of America’s digital security. It protects our country’s ability to defend itself against those who seek to disrupt democracy.
  • Limiting federal efforts to counter foreign influence increases the need for proactive state and local security measures to protect election-related data and mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities.