Trusted Election Security Solutions
For cybersecurity experts, election officials, and voters, the security of the American voting system is a hot topic. With 100,000+ polling places throughout the U.S. during any given election, and essentially no standardization between locations, there is plenty of room for improving the system.
But where does that improvement even start? In order to make Election Day as secure as possible, changes can actually be easily (and affordably) made at each polling location itself. Implementing logical access control with smart, government-standard technology can ensure votes are encrypted, counted, and trusted. Identiv’s election security solutions can do just that.
Securing Critical Election Infrastructure, Software, and Systems
Despite best efforts, we need to be mindful that cybercriminals are always upping their game. They are well-organized and well-funded. When the next election cycle rolls around, we can be sure they will be armed with the very latest tools and tactics. History teaches passwords and SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) alone simply are not enough. The good news is advances in security key technologies promise to provide an additional layer of protection for critical election infrastructure, software, and systems.
While there are many security key vendors in the marketplace, our uTrust FIDO2 GOV Security Keys (available late 2021) are the smart choice for those administering government elections. Replace passwords with a secure, rapid, scalable login solution available at an attractive price point. uTrust FIDO2 GOV Security Keys strengthen any election cybersecurity effort. Here are some of the top security features:
- Based on public-key cryptography (i.e., the keys stay on the device)
- No server-side shared secrets to steal
- Multi-protocol FIDO U2F, FIDO2, personal identity verification (PIV) smart card, and one-time password (OTP) support means security keys are resistant to phishing, man-in-the-middle, and replay attacks
- No linkability between services or accounts and no third party in the protocol
- Lower breach risks, potential damages, and password reset costs
- Compatible with modern browsers and operating systems: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS
NFC Solution for Election Administrative and Field Workers
Beyond these advanced features, security keys are easy to set up and use – even for non-tech-savvy users. The keys use contactless near-field communication (NFC), supporting short-range communication between compatible devices, including smartphones. NFC requires a fraction of the power consumed by Bluetooth and offers superior connectivity speed. This makes it well-suited for election administrative and field workers.
If you are running or administering an election, you need to make every dollar count. Identiv’s security keys eliminate extensive development, provisioning, and maintenance costs. The investment is future-proof: your keys will not become obsolete once the election is over. Identiv’s uTrust FIDO2 GOV Security Keys complement our other election security solutions leveraging government-standard encryption, contact, contactless, and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.
Integrating Secure Voting Solutions
For paper-based voting systems that use touch-screen technology and produce paper records for tabulation, integrating the contact board from Identiv’s SCR3310 v2.0 Smart Card Reader keeps election data and cast vote records secure, ensuring no data is stored on the device. Election security features provided by SCR3310 v2.0 include physical and system access controls, audit logs, system application controls, government-grade encryption, and hash validation and digital signatures.
Making Hacking Obsolete
While smart card reader technology will not prevent a voting system from being hacked, the right reader can make hacking pointless. Identiv’s uTrust 2700 R Contact Smart Card Reader is another election security option that encrypts individual votes, protecting voter privacy and discouraging meddling.
Election Security Solution Compliance
Identiv’s CAC and PIV-approved SCR3310 v2.0 and uTrust 2700 R are small, robust PC-linked contact USB smart card readers that work with virtually all smart cards and are fully compliant with all major industry standards, including ISO/IEC 7816, USB CCID, PC/SC, Microsoft WHQL, EMV 2011, and GSA FIPS 201. Identiv-specific SmartOS™ provides convenience, fast transaction times, high security, and reliability.
Authentication and Identification
Identiv’s convenient contactless smart card readers and boards are equally ideal secure voting solutions, providing government-grade identification that can easily be integrated at polling places across the country. uTrust 3700 F Contactless Smart Card Reader, uTrust 4701 F Dual Interface Smart Card Reader, uTrust 3500 F Contactless Smart Card Reader Board, and uTrust 4500 F Dual Interface Smart Card Reader Board combine contact, contactless, and radio frequency identification (RFID)/near field communication (NFC) technology, while supporting ISO/IEC 7816 and 13.56 MHz smart cards.
In all cases, voters need to authenticate and sign each voting transaction via smart card. Identiv’s dual-interface uTrust MD (Mini Driver) Smart Cards and uTrust SmartID Secure Access Credentials are Microsoft®-compatible, PKI digital signature-based credentials that provide trusted authentication, digital signatures, secure remote access, and data encryption.
However you’re voting on the big day, Identiv’s election security solutions can help keep your vote safe and secure.
U.S. Election Cybersecurity White Paper
Securing the future of U.S. elections calls for a particularly sharp focus on identity and access management.
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