Best Practices to Mitigate Election-Related Cybersecurity Risks

The upcoming U.S. national elections are generating a lot of attention, and with it, an increased number of election-related cybersecurity risks. In fact, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) has officially rolled out its #Protect2024 program. This initiative offers guidance and best practices to help organizations improve the physical security and the cybersecurity of the many systems that support our elections.

How Election Threats Could Affect Data Centers

Data centers today have many different clients using shared infrastructure and services. This makes them attractive targets for threat actors aiming to exploit vulnerabilities in one company’s system and then access so many others.

For example, an election-related cyberattack such as a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack against one client could affect all the other tenants in the same hosting environment. Such an attack could lead to disastrous results: downtime, data loss, or the direct compromise of sensitive corporate systems.

Additionally, election-targeted attacks often involve social engineering cyberthreats. Consider the case where a corporate employee falls victim to a sophisticated phishing attack. Not only could the hackers access that employee’s credentials, but they may exfiltrate data or move laterally to gain access to other systems in the same facility or on the same network.

Third-party service providers within the data center ecosystem also pose significant security risks. During periods of heightened election-related threats, attackers may target these vendors as weak entry points. If successful, they can exploit any vulnerabilities to infiltrate broader networks, disrupt services, or access sensitive corporate and election infrastructure.

With so much risk, companies need to do all they can to bolster their defenses. They also need to make sure their data center partner clearly explains their role, responsibilities, and can deliver effective cybersecurity services and solutions to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks in November – and beyond.

Mitigation Strategies for Businesses Amid Election-Related Cybersecurity Risks

As election-related cybersecurity risks escalate, businesses operating in colocation data centers must implement strong security strategies to safeguard their systems.

Here are key approaches companies can adopt:

• Strengthening access controls: One of the most effective ways to mitigate threats is by ensuring robust access control policies. Businesses should collaborate with their data center providers to limit physical and digital access to sensitive infrastructure. This includes using multi-factor authentication (MFA) role-based access controls and limiting access to only essential personnel. This helps reduce the risk of unauthorized entry or exploitation.
• Enhanced monitoring and threat detection: Advanced monitoring tools are crucial in detecting abnormal activities or potential threats in shared environments. Data centers often offer security monitoring services that provide real-time visibility into the network. These tools can flag unusual behavior, such as sudden spikes in traffic or unauthorized access attempts. As a result, businesses can respond swiftly and prevent escalation.
• Regular security audits and penetration testing: Routine security audits and penetration testing are essential to uncovering hidden vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. By partnering with multi-tenant data center providers, businesses can ensure regular assessments are conducted. If any vulnerabilities are detected, they can be addressed promptly. Such a proactive approach strengthens the overall security posture.
• Collaboration with data center providers: Open communication between businesses and data center providers is critical. Keeping both parties informed of emerging threats and working together to refine response plans ensures a coordinated defense against election-related cyberattacks.
• Business continuity planning: Finally, businesses should review and update their business continuity and disaster recovery plans. Tailoring these plans to the specific risks posed by election-related threats will enable companies to maintain operations in the event of a disruption. It also ensures minimal impact on business-critical processes.

By focusing on these strategies, businesses can better navigate the heightened security risks associated with the upcoming election and ensure their systems remain secure.

Role of Multi-Tenant Data Centers in Mitigation

Multi-tenant data centers play a crucial role in helping businesses safeguard their infrastructure. Providers like DataBank offer a suite of security measures and compliance standards that help mitigate these risks.

• Security measures offered by providers: Multi-tenant data centers provide a range of advanced security features to protect against cyberattacks. DataBank, for example, offers DDoS protection, network-level intrusion detection and prevention systems (ID/PS), enhanced firewalls, and comprehensive security monitoring services. These tools are essential in detecting and mitigating threats that can disrupt election-related systems and corporate infrastructure. By leveraging these services, businesses can secure their digital environments and minimize the risk of a breach during vulnerable times.
• Compliance and certifications: Choosing a data center provider that adheres to rigorous security standards is vital for reducing risks. DataBank complies with industry-leading certifications, including SOC 2, FISMA/NIST, and ISO 27001, which ensure robust data protection protocols are in place. These certifications verify that DataBank maintains stringent controls over data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. In times of heightened threat, these extra layers of protection are invaluable, offering businesses peace of mind knowing their infrastructure is compliant with critical security standards.

Interested in learning more about DataBank and our approach to helping our clients improve their security defenses? Visit our managed security services page or contact us today for more information.