Trainings from the Election Security Exchange provide election officials and staff with practical, real-world guidance to strengthen security, resilience, and preparedness across a wide range of evolving threats.
Covering topics from foundational information security and insider threats to ransomware, AI risks, website protection, and crisis response, each session is designed to build confidence and actionable skills. Offered both in person and virtually, these trainings equip teams with the tools, strategies, and planning needed to prevent incidents, respond effectively, and support secure, trusted election operations.
Course Topics
Cybersecurity
AI Mitigations in Elections
Gain a clear understanding of artificial intelligence and its growing role in election-related threats. This training helps participants recognize AI-generated content and understand how it can be used to misinform or disrupt. Attendees will learn practical strategies to prepare for and respond to emerging AI-driven risks.
Operations
Basics of Information Security
Build a strong foundation in information security by exploring the CIA Triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability—and how these principles apply to election operations. This training uses real-world examples to illustrate common risks and vulnerabilities. Participants will also engage in a hands-on workshop to identify practical steps for protecting critical systems and data.
Physical Security
Doxxing and Swatting
Understand the risks posed by insider threats, whether intentional or unintentional, and how they can impact election offices. This training covers how to identify warning signs, implement safeguards, and strengthen internal processes. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to detect, mitigate, and respond effectively.
Physical Security
Cybersecurity
Operations
First Things First: Election Office Security
This is a staff‑focused training that delivers practical, low‑effort, high‑impact steps across cybersecurity, physical security, and operational security. It introduces fast wins, real‑world scenarios, and a maturity model to help offices strengthen daily habits and reduce risk. Participants leave with clear actions they can implement immediately to improve resilience and reinforce public trust.
Operations
Insider Threats
Understand the risks posed by insider threats, whether intentional or unintentional, and how they can impact election offices. This training covers how to identify warning signs, implement safeguards, and strengthen internal processes. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to detect, mitigate, and respond effectively.
Operations
Operational Security
Learn the fundamentals of operational security and how to apply them in the election environment. This training helps participants assess threats, identify vulnerabilities, and understand risk in a practical way. Attendees will leave with concrete countermeasures to strengthen day-to-day security practices.
Cybersecurity
Ransomware and Election Infrastructure
Understand why election systems are a target for ransomware attacks and how these incidents unfold. This training uses real-world scenarios to illustrate common attack paths and vulnerabilities. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to prevent attacks and respond effectively if one occurs.
Operations
Recognizing and Responding to Threats at Your Election Office
Develop a proactive approach to incident response and continuity of operations (COOP) planning. This training walks participants through identifying key partners, building contact lists, and creating clear response plans. It emphasizes effective communication strategies to ensure confidence and coordination during a crisis.
Operations
The Trusted Line: Communication as a Security Strategy
Understand how clear, timely communication functions as an election security strategy. This training walks participants through a multi-step response model for reacting to a fast-moving situation, along with proactive habits that build public trust before a crisis hits. Through instruction and activities, attendees will leave with a practical framework for when it’s needed most.Understand why election systems are a target for ransomware attacks and how these incidents unfold. This training uses real-world scenarios to illustrate common attack paths and vulnerabilities. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to prevent attacks and respond effectively if one occurs.
Cybersecurity
Website Security
Explore the most common threats to election websites and the steps needed to protect them. This training introduces practical security measures and highlights free tools that can strengthen your defenses. Participants will also learn the basics of incident response to minimize impact if a breach occurs.
Secure elections require proactive planning and decisive response. These nonpartisan trainings focus on election security, including the physical, operational, and cyber dimensions of election administration. Each training reflects industry best practices and can be customized for use by any election office. Consult your state or county attorney to see if you can request a training.