Election Cyber Attacks: Why Your Business Is at Risk and How to Stay Protected

The 2024 US presidential election season is well and truly underway. But did you know that with election season comes an increase in cyber attacks?

Tim Langan, executive assistant director for the Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch of the FBI, has warned that the threat of cyber attacks is “extremely alarming” right now.

And it’s not just political organisations in the crosshairs. Even if it’s not connected to the election, your business is still vulnerable to cyber threats during this season.

But why is this?

Well, cyber criminals are clever. They use the heightened focus on political events to launch widespread attacks, often targeting any organisation with security gaps.

It’s important to understand this increased risk and take action to protect your business from potential cyber threats before they happen.

This guide will explain why your organisation is a target during election periods and provide practical steps you can take to keep your valuable data safe.

Why are cyber attacks common during elections?

Increased political tension, a surge in online activity, and widespread vulnerabilities all contribute to the rise in cyber attacks during elections.

Hackers are well aware the digital ecosystem is under more pressure than ever during election fever. The spike in internet traffic, including data exchanges and financial transactions, creates more opportunities for cyber criminals to exploit security gaps and target critical infrastructure.

Plus, businesses often become less vigilant as they focus on election-related news, giving attackers a prime window to strike.

Most common types of cyber attacks that take place during elections

The most common types of cyber threats likely to take place during an election are:

1. Phishing attacks

Hackers use election-themed emails or messages to trick employees into clicking malicious software or downloading harmful attachments. These phishing attempts are often disguised as political updates or voting information.

2. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks

In this case, cyber criminals overwhelm websites or servers with traffic, causing systems to crash. This can disrupt operations, especially for businesses with online platforms or services.

3. Ransomware attacks

During a ransomware attack, criminals lock down a company’s systems or data, demanding payment to restore access to sensitive data. These attacks are more frequent during high-profile events like elections, as hackers try to exploit the sense of urgency.

4. Misinformation campaigns

Cyber criminals can also target businesses by spreading false information online, damaging reputations or causing customer confusion.

5. Social engineering

This tactic involves hackers exploiting the political climate by impersonating trusted sources. They manipulate employees or users into revealing sensitive information, giving them access to private systems and data.

How election cybersecurity threats can impact your business

Cyber adversaries can impact you business in a number of ways, including:

1. Data breaches

If hackers enter your system, they gain access to sensitive customer data, intellectual property, and confidential business information. This puts your security at major risk, potentially leading to legal trouble and hefty fines.

2. Service disruptions

A DDoS attack can take your online services down, making your website and apps unavailable to customers. Not only is this frustrating for users, it can also mean lost sales for your business if you rely on digital platforms.

3. Financial losses

Recovering from a breach can be costly. For example, you might face costs for ransom payments, forensic investigations, system repairs, and upping your security measures in the aftermath. And that’s all on top of the revenue you lose during those downtime periods as you recover from a cyber enabled crime.

4. Reputational damage

Being the victim of a cyber crime can seriously damage your company’s reputation. Many customers lose faith in a brand once they’ve been breached or linked to misinformation. This can impact customer loyalty and sales in the long run.

Steps your business should take to stay safe during election season

With election season ramping up, now’s the time to tighten your cybersecurity. Here’s how you can protect your business from a cyber attack:

• Protect your devices: Make sure all your computer systems, phones, and tablets are updated with the latest antivirus and anti-malware software. Hackers often target outdated systems, so keeping everything up to date helps block them from getting in.
• Back up data: Regularly backup your important files and store them somewhere secure, like offsite or in the cloud. Having a backup means that if you ever face a ransomware attack, you’ll be able to recover your data without paying a ransom.
• Train your team: Teach your employees to spot phishing emails and identify dodgy links. Most cyber attacks happen because someone clicks on something they shouldn’t. By raising awareness, you can help prevent those simple mistakes that can lead to a larger cyber threat.

Understanding the increased cyber risks during election season helps your business stay one step ahead of potential threats like ransomware, phishing attacks, and misinformation campaigns.

Taking proactive steps—like protecting your devices, backing up your data, and training your team—can go a long way in keeping your operations secure. With financial loss, service disruptions, and reputational damage on the line, it’s important to do what you can to protect yourself in higher-risk seasons.

How BackupVault can help protect your data during election season

With malicious cyber activity on the rise this election season, now is the time to protect your business’s valuable data with robust security measures. BackupVault offers reliable cloud backup solutions to keep your important information safe and your operations running as they should.

With a dependable data backup service, you can rest assured your sensitive information is protected through comprehensive endpoint protection, regular backups, and vital employee awareness programs. We specialise in securing businesses like yours from cyber attacks, so you can focus on what matters most—growing your business.

Join the countless businesses that trust us to keep their data safe. Start your free BackupVault trial today or get in touch for more information.