The Trump campaign's failure to promptly inform law enforcement about an alleged email system hacking has raised concerns about its duty to report potential election interference. Although the FBI is now investigating, the timeline and method of the referral remain unclear.
The issue became public on August 9, when Microsoft revealed Iranian attempts to hack a presidential campaign, which was later identified as Trump's. Despite being aware of the breach earlier in the summer, the Trump campaign did not report it to law enforcement, according to The Washington Post. This reluctance to disclose cyberattacks is common among organizations, often due to fears of embarrassment or liability.
Cybersecurity experts emphasize the importance of reporting such incidents, especially given the persistent efforts by foreign adversaries to disrupt U.S. elections. Kiersten Todt, a former chief of staff at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), highlighted the unique pressures on campaigns to report attacks, given their potential impact on votes.
Microsoft attributed the hack to Mint Sandstorm, a group linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stating that the breach occurred in June, with leaked materials surfacing in July. Brian Greer, a former CIA attorney, questioned why a political campaign facing a serious cyber threat would not seek FBI assistance, given the agency's broader perspective on national security threats.
While the Trump campaign labeled the leaked documents as "illegally obtained," the FBI notified the Harris campaign in July about similar foreign influence operations. Despite former President Trump’s criticism of the FBI, resistance to reporting cyber incidents is widespread in the cybersecurity industry due to concerns about potential repercussions.
Experts argue that while internal cybersecurity teams can handle initial investigations, the FBI's involvement is crucial for understanding the broader implications and coordinating a national response. The Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act, passed in 2022, mandates reporting for certain sectors, but its applicability to campaigns remains unclear.
Kiersten Todt suggested that requiring campaign reporting could be logical, given the critical nature of election infrastructure. She praised organizations that disclose attacks, noting that transparency can diminish the power of malicious actors and bring the full force of federal attention to the issue.
With the FBI now investigating, the
government's role extends to responding to the attack. Jamil Jaffer, founder of
the National Security Institute, criticized the U.S. government's cautious
approach to cyber deterrence, arguing that stronger public actions are needed
to protect elections effectively.
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