State election officials will be trained to spot alleged 'social media manipulation,' deciding which online items are 'false' or aimed at 'skewing elections'-Reuters

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"The exercises involve simulations of potential social media manipulation--in which false information aimed at skewing elections is posted online."
 
5/31/18, "New York holding drills to thwart election hacking," Reuters, NY, via NY Post

"The Department of Homeland Security and New York State's Board of Elections will host the cybersecurity meetings in six New York regions through June 18, about a week ahead of the state’s federal primary elections. Other New York officials, as well as local government workers and state police, will attend the closed-door meetings.

The exercises involve simulations of potential voting system attacks, including so-called ransomware computer infections
and social media manipulation — in which false information aimed at skewing elections is posted online.

New York will be the first in the nation to hold such meetings, Cuomo’s office said.

The state’s cybersecurity drills are among the early phases of a multi-pronged elections security program approved May 3.
The broader plan will rely on $5 million in state funds and up to roughly $19.5 million in federal grants made available....

Federal and New York state officials say they will hold drills in the weeks leading up to primary elections for the US House and Senate to prevent hacking and other cyber-threats to voting systems."...


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