Cloudflare Shields US Election from Cyber Threats
In a recent report by Cloudflare, the internet security giant details a surge in cyberattacks targeting the 2024 US election, illustrating the vital role cybersecurity plays in safeguarding digital democracy. As elections increasingly intertwine with digital platforms—from voter registration to campaign management—the integrity of these processes hinges not just on electoral regulations but significantly on the robustness of cybersecurity measures.
During the climactic moments of the 2024 presidential race, Cloudflare observed an alarming escalation in cyber threats. Notably, a peak attack on November 1st saw malicious requests hitting 700,000 per second, with subsequent attacks maintaining high intensity. Despite the potential disruptions, Cloudflare’s defenses stood firm, successfully mitigating the assaults to maintain the operational integrity of crucial election websites.
This year's attacks far exceeded those recorded in the 2020 elections, both in volume and sophistication. Over the first six days of November alone, Cloudflare intercepted over 6 billion malicious HTTP requests aimed at election-related infrastructure, a stark increase from the previous cycle’s figures of 100 million and 25 million during similar periods.
Cloudflare’s proactive approach extended beyond mere defense against direct cyberattacks. In partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative, Cloudflare engaged in extensive efforts to bolster the cybersecurity posture of the US electoral process. These included briefings to over 300 election officials and numerous strategic discussions with state and local governments to refine and fortify security measures. Additionally, the company facilitated webinars designed to equip election groups with knowledge and strategies to thwart cyber threats.
The report also sheds light on how the election influenced internet usage patterns across the country. Traffic peaked notably after the closure of the first polling stations, with a 15% increase compared to the preceding week. Interestingly, central states such as Maine, South Dakota, and Montana saw traffic swell by 44%, significantly higher than the more populous states like California, Texas, New York, and Florida, which reported increases of 8% to 23%.
Cloudflare’s data also highlighted massive spikes in DNS traffic for polling services and news media websites on election day, demonstrating the public’s heavy reliance on online resources to track real-time developments and outcomes.
The broader implications of these findings are profound for the global tech community and policymakers worldwide. The escalating scale and sophistication of cyber threats underscore the need for continuous advancements in cybersecurity technologies and strategies, especially as digital platforms become increasingly central to electoral processes around the globe.
Cloudflare’s ongoing initiatives, such as Project Galileo, the Athenian Project, and Cloudflare for Campaigns, play a critical role in this landscape. These programs offer complimentary cybersecurity resources to a wide array of organizations involved in elections globally, safeguarding over 800 websites linked to election infrastructure across numerous countries.
As the digital landscape evolves, the experiences from the 2024 US presidential race not only highlight the challenges faced but also the effective strategies that can be employed to protect the integrity of democratic processes in an increasingly interconnected world.
Stay informed on the latest cybersecurity trends and defenses. Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates on the latest news, trends and insights.
