Amid growing debate worldwide on how to best defend the election process from possible cyber-crime, Estonia’s Information System Authority (RIA) has said that the elections of the European Parliament next May could become a target.
A cyber security handbook has been drawn up under the leadership of RIA for the organisers of elections and people responsible for cyber security, Estonia’s ERR reported.
It said the handbook has been drawn up considering specific incidents in the elections of European Union member states and is also meant to be used in these countries.
The handbook includes possible dangers that might arise, starting from drawing up election lists and ending with the counting of votes and the publishing of results.
RIA chief analyst Liisa Past said that elections have become one of the most popular targets of cyber-attacks.
There have not been incidents in Estonia that impacted election results, but there have been attempts.
The next target of cyber-attacks could be the European Parliament elections in May 2019.
“The last European Parliament elections took place in 2014, which means that European Parliament elections have not taken place in this changed security situation where elections and the democratic functioning of the society are a target of cyber -attacks,” Past said.
