It is Likely Voting Machines Will Be Hacked this November Election

Voters have more to worry about than candidates this election season, as they must also be concerned with hacking at the polls.  Leading cyber security experts claim hacking is a distinct possibility, and could impact the outcome of the Presidential race in particular.

Background

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 was designed to phase out the punch card ballots that resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court deciding the case of Bush vs. Gore. This act resulted in thousands of voting machines across the country being replaced with newer electronic models. The problem with this is that officials did not take into consideration the new challenges electronic voting machines would bring. As such, many of them are currently running Windows XP or an older version of Windows for which a security patch has not been released since April 2014.

Decertified Machines

The fact that voting machines are insecure resulted in Virginia officials decertifying thousands of WinVote machines. The decertification happened after a security team discovered that “anyone within a half-mile could have modified every vote undetected.” The vendor has now gone out of business, meaning there is no way to correct the deficiency aside from replacing the machines. This Virginia case is not an isolated one, as many of the other electronic machines are also subject to hacking. According to Lawrence Norden of the Brennan Center, perfectly secure computers (or computerized voting machines) are an impossibility.

Hacked Databases

Recently, Russian hackers made two separate attempts to hack statewide databases containing voter registration information. These hackers are credited with lifting data from as many as 200,000 voters in Illinois, prompting the FBI to send out a flash alert to agencies nationwide. The flash alert asked officials to be on the lookout for any similar cyber intrusions. According to an unnamed source, there is “serious concern” that the Kremlin may try to interfere in this year’s Presidential election process. The hacks that took place in Illinois are simply more evidence of this.

Challenges with Upgrading

A lack of funding is what prevents most polling locations from upgrading to more reliable, secure machines. As such, only a handful of areas have purchased new equipment in the past year. It seems that many state legislators are unwilling to fund new voting machines unless there is some type of crisis at the polls. Making matters worse is the fact that many states currently do not have an audit system in place. This includes states such as Kentucky and Pennsylvania that require election audits, but do not have any paper trails in place to help them complete one.

More than 75% of all Americans will still vote on paper ballots this fall, yet that does not mean that hacking is not a concern. The remaining 25% will vote on electronic machines, leaving enough leeway for hackers to affect the outcome. The FBI recommends that states contact their Board of Elections to see if unusual activity on their inbound or outbound logs has been detected. Doing so will hopefully ensure that breaches are corrected before voting begins.

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.
April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.