How to Amplify Your Election Security

 

Election security: It’s a topic that has been in the news a lot regarding national political events. However, implementing the highest level of security for your member organization election is equally important. With so many member organizations providing online voting options, security is more vital than ever.

Here’s how to ensure your organization’s election is fully protected, no matter how your members cast their ballots.

 

Paper ballots

We’ve all heard the horror stories – an election staffer or volunteer leaves a ballot box in the backseat of their car. No oversight, no chain of custody. Physical security of paper ballots is critical.

That’s why Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) secures all returned ballots in a three-tiered security vault. Additionally, SBS offices are enhanced with physical and electronic security. All client project documents within the production facility, including ballots, are stored in a locked vault with limited access only by authorized staff. 

Online elections or hybrid elections with an online option

Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, malware, maintaining voter anonymity, and more are massive concerns when it comes to providing members the option to vote in your member election online.

Fortunately, when you work with a third-party election partner like SBS, you should be able to ask about and feel comfortable completely relying on their security protocols. If any third-party vendor provides vague information or questions your reasons for asking, walk away immediately.

For example, SBS provides industry-leading security for all online elections we administer, including:

• System architecture and firewall protection. All data processed and stored by SBS is encrypted end-to-end – both in transit and at rest. All data is backed up daily and protected with Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption. TLS encrypts communications between servers and web applications (like web browsers).

 

• SOC 2 Type 2. This report verifies how a company protects your data and the effectiveness of their security controls. While many vendors say they are SOC 2 Type 2 compliant, it’s actually their data center or mail house, not the organization itself. SBS is independently SOC 2 Type 2. This ensures proper documentation of, and adherence to, internal security controls. A Certified Public Accounting firm annually reviews our processes.

 

• Data centers. SBS partners with a premier third-party data center – Flexential – for private cloud data services. It is part of an extensive 40 data center network, so your data is co-located and protected in the event of a disaster.

 

How to screen your election vendor for election security practices

•  Ask to see your third-party election vendor’s security policies and procedures and make sure that they conduct regular security appraisals.

• Ensure your election partner has a reliable disaster recovery and a backup plan in place.

• Certify that your vendors encrypt all data at rest and in transit. That means all data – laptops, computers, databases, external hard drives, and more.

• Scrutinize security certifications.

Election security measures evolve and change every year, so be sure your third-party election partner stays ahead of threats and on top of the latest high-security standards. SBS has a certified track record in securely handling member elections – paper, phone, hybrid and online. Our voting security services ensure your election is secure and transparent.

 

Have questions about election security? Ready to learn more about the industry-leading security provided by SBS? Contact us, we’re here to help.