“Large scale cybersecurity exercise” on Election Day?

30 October 2024 | Zero5G.com | Image source | Federal officials from DHS, CISA, FBI, FirstNet Authority, and Armed Forces were originally listed as participants at the Homeland Security Conference 2024. Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), the organizers of the event, announced a postponement after “unanticipated” public scrutiny.

Many were asking an obvious question: WHY would cybersecurity ‘exercises’ be conducted on Election Day? The timing appears suspect when considering previous live exercises that corresponded with actual events.

Senator Rand Paul (R) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on October 15, 2024 questioning a cybersecurity conference to be held in Atlanta, Georgia on the day of the election, Tuesday, November 5th.

“Rather than monitoring cyberthreats that may occur relative to the election, senior federal officials plan to spend Election Day participating in a four-hour “Critical Infrastructure Tabletop” led by CISA staff, followed by a networking reception. Federal officials are also expected to participate in a “large scale cybersecurity exercise” on Election Day.”