How CISA Helps Secure Election Infrastructure

Updated

CISA supports election infrastructure security through its Election Infrastructure Security Plan, which describes no-cost, voluntary services available to election partners. The stated goal is to help those partners strengthen resilience and protect public confidence in the voting process. Because the services are described as voluntary, election organizations choose whether and how to use them; the plan is a resource for election partners rather than a mandate.

What the Election Infrastructure Security Plan Covers

According to CISA's announcement of the plan's release, it provides information about the no-cost, voluntary services CISA makes available for securing election infrastructure. In practical terms, the plan functions as a guide to what election partners can request or adopt, organized around two outcomes CISA names directly:

  • Strengthening resilience of election infrastructure
  • Protecting public confidence in the voting process

The plan is framed around services and information for election partners, so it is most useful as a starting reference for state and local election offices deciding which forms of support to pursue.

Who the Services Are For

The plan is aimed at election partners — the organizations that run and support elections. CISA describes the services as voluntary and no-cost, which means an election office can engage with them at its own discretion and without a fee described in the source material. The plan itself is the entry point for learning what is offered.

How to Use the Plan

  1. Start with the plan. Read CISA's 2026 Election Infrastructure Security Plan to see the full list of available services and how CISA describes its role in supporting election partners.
  2. Match services to your needs. Use the plan's description of services to identify which forms of support fit your organization's resilience and confidence goals.
  3. Engage voluntarily. Because participation is voluntary, decide internally which services to adopt and in what order.
  4. Verify current details. Confirm service availability and any participation steps directly with CISA, since the plan describes the program at the time of release.

Expected result: a clear picture of the no-cost, voluntary support available to your election organization and a shortlist of services worth pursuing.

Common Pitfalls

  • Treating the plan as a requirement. The services are voluntary; the plan informs decisions rather than imposing obligations.
  • Assuming the plan is static. Check CISA's site for the current version and any updates to the services described.
  • Skipping the partner-matching step. The plan is broad; narrowing it to services relevant to your organization's role makes it actionable.

Where to Find It

The plan is published on cisa.gov, where CISA also posts related news updates and guidance. Election partners can use the site to locate the plan and follow announcements about election infrastructure security.