As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches its conclusion, notable concerns have emerged regarding the intensified disinformation campaigns orchestrated by Russian actors. With Donald Trump once again on the ballot, U.S. officials are raising alarms about the Kremlin’s ongoing efforts to undermine public faith in the electoral process and incite potential unrest, particularly as these maneuvers are expected to extend into January 2025.
Historically, Russian disinformation campaigns have heavily influenced U.S. elections, notably during the contentious 2016 race between Hillary Clinton and Trump. Following heightened scrutiny and numerous investigations into the methodologies employed during that period—such as the notorious hack-and-leak strategies against the Democratic National Committee and various political figures—Russia shifted its focus away from aggressive technical tactics. Instead, emphasis was placed on influence operations during the midterm elections and the 2020 presidential race. However, this relative calm appears to have dissipated as the current election cycle progresses.
Recent communications from U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials responsible for safeguarding electoral integrity indicate a significant uptick in foreign interference, particularly from Russia but also from adversaries like Iran. These officials reported that a growing volume of inauthentic content is being disseminated online, marking a concerning escalation in hostile activities. While major cyberattacks targeting election infrastructure have not been observed beyond the usual DDoS attacks aiming to disrupt access to election-related websites, the sophistication and menace of Russian disinformation tactics are reportedly on the rise.
A specific incident occurred in Georgia, where Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger linked multiple bomb threats against polling locations to Russian actors. Although these threats were assessed to be non-credible, the disruptions they caused at the poll sites underscore the psychological and operational impacts of such disinformation efforts. Furthermore, the FBI confirmed on Tuesday that polling sites in various states received similar non-credible threats, further feeding concerns about foreign influence on domestic voting processes.
Cait Conley, a senior adviser at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), remarked on the broader scope and scale of foreign influence operations in 2024, classifying Russia’s capabilities as particularly advanced among adversaries. The range of tactics employed this cycle, she noted, displays a greater level of sophistication than in previous elections.
In a joint statement issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, CISA, and the FBI, the agencies identified Russia as the predominant threat to the integrity of U.S. elections. They highlighted the manufacture of misleading videos and the production of fake articles aimed at delegitimizing the electoral process and inciting fear among voters. These activities are designed not only to discredit the electoral system but also to create narratives suggesting imminent violence among the electorate based on political affiliations.
Some cited examples of Russian disinformation include a fabricated interview claiming to expose a vast electoral fraud scheme in Arizona and a misleading article alleging election fraud in key swing states. Moreover, a video purportedly showcasing electoral fraud in Georgia was traced back to Russian influence actors. In another instance, a prominent propaganda network reportedly escalated unfounded claims regarding Minnesota’s governor and his past actions, demonstrating a concerted effort to manipulate public perception through social media amplification.
The ongoing disinformation campaigns highlight a pressing concern for cybersecurity professionals and business owners alike, particularly as tactics employed align with several MITRE ATT&CK adversary techniques. These may include initial access through social engineering, persistence in maintaining false narratives, and privilege escalation to amplify the reach and impact of misleading content across digital platforms. As these threats evolve, vigilance and preparedness will remain essential for safeguarding the integrity of U.S. elections and countering foreign attempts to disrupt democratic processes.
