Suggestions for better election security.

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2011 · Journal of Physical Security

OSTI ID:1028100

Johnston, R G; Warner, J S ^[1]

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1. Nuclear Engineering Division

Summary of Common Security Mistakes: (1) Electronic voting machines that fundamentally lack security thought and features, including an ability to detect tampering or intrusion, or to be reliably locked or sealed; (2) Failure to disassemble, inspect, and thoroughly inspect (not just test) a sufficient number of voting machines before and after elections in order to detect hardware or software tampering; (3) Assuming that tamper - indicating seals will either be blatantly ripped/smashed open, or else there is no tampering. In reality, even amateurs can spoof most seals leaving (at most) subtle evidence; (4) Inadequate seal use protocols and training of seal installers and inspectors. Failure to show examples of blatantly and subtly attacked seals to seal inspectors; (5) Over confidence in use of a voter verified paper record (VVPR), a VVPR is an excellent security countermeasure, but it is not a silver bullet, especially for an election organization with poor overall security; (6) Little or no insider thr at mitigation; and (7) A poor security culture, including denial and no a priori procedures for dealing with security questions or concerns.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 1028100
• Report Number(s): ANL/NE/JA-71346
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Security, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Security Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

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