And then second beginning at 315 with the problems of tackling disinformation and we are delighted to start off today with remarks of those run the frontline we have the director performance security and infrastructure security at the department of Homeland Security and then coming right from the frontlines to deal with these issues he will give us an overview of what that government is trying to do to tackle the issue head on. And then most recently was the National Security council and the director for resilience and then to be engaged in Election Security and integrity. At that the Harvard Institute of politics and with that Public Outreach and the various issues so we would be concerned since the 2016 election. Mark will be joined by a david founder for the center for election and research one dad is devoted to this precise issue and has spent many years at the Pew Research Foundation looking at public am pulling opinion. And last but not least and that many of you will know in the audience for legal affairs. Thank you for joining us today. And then to answer thes questions thank you for sending and questions thank you for joining us today. Its great to see you again Election Security is an issue i have spent and my tenured year at the department as the leader for Cybersecurity Agency was established by law in 2018 and then to have a compulsory emission. And elections and then describe what i had in 26 team on 2016 i like and not to 1957. When the soviets play sputnik into orbit and that the soviets beat us to space. And with that geographic differences in that icbm effectively demonstrated and with the American People previously cybersecurity is an issue in terms of the attacks on banks or hacking sony because you did not like a video. This was truly the affront to the American People it demonstrated the potentiality to undermine democracy at large. So to talk about where we been the last several years and where we need to go so looking at the last three and half years there have always been national Election Security. But previously what we have been able to create through our Partnership Mechanisms is the true coordinating council all levels of government to work on these issues to isolate and identify trends and this one best practices that has led to another key achievement with information sharing and the Analysis Center and then prior to 2017 no such existed so we establish that with the help of our partners we have all 50 states and thousands of local jurisdictions that participate in this partnership and again and with the emerging threats and risks to share quickly and effectively. We absolutely improve the cybersecurity resilience posture i said it before and i will say it again the 2020 election is the most secure election in modern history. Why is that . In part through this practice we can truly raise the awareness of cybersecurity threats they get it and are taking action just a great example the time to patch for critical vulnerabilities has been cut in half over the last year and a half that is critical to word providing the hygiene of the networks we rely on. We have more sensors on intrusion Detection Center on sensors every single state election network. In the state of florida all 67 counties have these. In the sector or subsector and have the best visibility. There is a tremor out there in the first we can feel and act on it that is an absolute metric of success also with the 2016 election between 80 and 82 percent of votes were cast why is that paper record important . It leads to auditability which is a key component to determine the integrity of the vote will a back to make sure you have the right results and through that process where are we in 2020 we were on track 92 percent but in part we will see an increase may be over 92 percent with the increase of absentee ballots to conduct postelection audits is critical to establish the integrity of the election. The last several years we are truly developed a unified United States government effort this isnt just a System Mission we have coordinated support from the Intelligence Community with the National Security agency but others in the Intelligence Community are supporting as well and they are on the lookout every day from threats against election and infrastructure very active participation and engagement you heard director ray two weeks ago mention it to kick off chinese related counterintelligence every ten hours the third pieces the department of defense so when they go out there they work in the sphere of influence of russia and Ukraine Northern macedonia and ace activity of foreign actors we dont just take the cybersecurity aspect that we can work and see the playbook so if we are targeting those databases those that we can provide the state and local partners the top three things we have done the last several years developed that community of practice to increase the cybersecurity where do we need to go the next several months we are 100 days out from novembe november 3rd early voting starts in 70 days so we are absolutely in the pipeline toward a significant election. First and foremost changes in the air and i mean that literally. Covid19 is changing how every election across this country will take place in november. And then to share the information on whats happening in these elections. And not seeing that level of coordinated determined cyberactivity from adversaries. We do have better visibility across the network and not seeing that same level and 2016. Im paranoid by nature so i say what do we think the bad guys can do . We kicked off and Initiative Last summer primarily informed by the increase of ransomware attacking state and local networks. Wouldnt it be a bad day if we go to the registration database and that was attacked in advance in the months of the 2020 election. So we worked with state and local partners and increase the posture the posture. And we do anticipate but to put in that. After the election. And thats why we put so much emphasis on the odd abilities system. And whether it is the invalidation of those being centers in a number of the volunteers that support elections and then to expand early voting and absentee voting. Its critical they get the information out there. Meant to play a role to educate and inform voters. So from midfebruary working closely and to get good guidance of how to disinfect and sanitize implement good social distancing like a mask on election day and in person voting. And with those good security protocols in place any kind of voting has risks. With the appropriate security controls put in place any sort of paper ballot backup will lead to post election audit success. Wrapping it up leaving with parting thoughts. And to ensure that you take the unprecedented step whether dhs or the Intelligence Community and department of defense or Law Enforcement to make sure we have that topline goal of voters. To make it that much harder for them to achieve success. Russia wants to destabilize and the defenses up we are ready for it but what we are looking for is a prepared voter. Please make sure you have a pla plan. Educate understand how things may have changed in your jurisdiction. If you have a normal polling place it set location or go to another place. We will need hundreds of thousands of election official volunteers. If you have the ability to do so volunteered to be an election official. And we need patient voters it is a time of change. It may not be the case if we have all the information. To understand that because of the changes may take more time. Thank you again for the opportunity to speak. And those three pletters are very important to keep in mind that were all talking in preparation for the event. And so if you can elaborate a little. And those that want to volunteer. And without people worrying exactly about the consolidation of polling places so what will we do as they think exactly and preparing others that the democrats have broad in belgium and with those younger volunteers and with participation and retirees have more time on their hands now more than they anticipated because of covid19 many may not be able to return in person to the universities and im sure david in particular has thought about this. So with the questions of the mailin voting in the paper ballots something we havent thought about and to interfere with the process in some way that may be obvious but the less likely that what could be new targets for Security Breaches the volatile schemes are if there could be a risk of the mail being compromised in some way or Security Breaches we might not have thought about and with enough capacity so i will get back to you because people are worried about so what do you say to people . And then to touch upon. Of natural risk managers have never seen a group so adaptable. Looking down at florida i county was wiped out. And then natural risk managers over the last several months. And with those vote centers and polling locations. And we should expect that all of the classic historical polling locations will be used schools are out of service and Fire Departments are the emergency technicians to make sure they are safe and secure. And in atlanta where the hocks play these are open spaces to have socially distance places. And they have pretty good success that the courts intervened. There are 2200 ballot configurations and that is the complexity of a foreign adversary in particular. And coming from st. Petersburg and then to understand and then get the signatures and those methods of validating every type of voting has a risk associated with it. And to implement them in a way to mitigate that risk when i look at new jersey you touch the screen and it goes to removable media and that is a potential for a net positive. I know everyone else is eager to get into this. Not only do you work at the federal level but also and not have to Something Else that we cannot disclosure that but then to start tackling what weve been talking about. So to be very specific questions and then to teach with thes politics and to be future mark harveys what is your perspective . Absolutely and thank you for having us today. This is a tremendous panel and those were incredible words and frankly having been there to see those early meetings between the federal and state and local governments. This will not happen without it they have worked very hard the last three years to gain trust please do not discount that is the current see upon which the entire system works is the most important part to consider i was asked when i got to harvard what can i do to make sure my vote is counted . My answer was dont just think about the vote and to certify the election. And then getting candidates eligible for the ballot. And then to certify those and communicate that certification where the officeholders enter into the new service positions. With a system of systems when all the resources to have a focus on cybersecurity after 2016 lets recognize all the resources necessary along the way. And then technology and communication. And those with the best sensors in place as you saw with twitter if you are willing to corrupt the entire process naive lost trust and faith. And then to execute the election what are the controls we have in place to make sure every step along the way we have the ability to provide a level of integrity and those are things that have to happen with those legal controls how somebody qualifies and how it is administered and then afterwards and the audit process. We created a lot of these problems for ourselves because after 2000 we start to incorporate more technology if you think about those categories of resources together the gaps between those and how they are used create vulnerabilities in the system we have to think through with covid we are rapidly changing every single one of those categories with a new group of volunteers and in many cases trying to capture new sets of data that happened in iowa with the first primary we want three results. The minute to take out that existing polling place anything different introduce vulnerabilities into the system. Also using information technology. Many states have bought equipment with the funds made available after 2016. This will be the first general election where things are used but also asking people to change and the changes of that utilization rate introduce vulnerabilities. All of that said that requires patience and the best thing that can be done for november is to tell everybody take a week off. Dont report a single results are ballots cast november 3rd through november 10 show mr. Smith goes to washington and hamilton have a great week of civic pride and we will announce who is one at the end that will give us time to count ballots and give us time to do audits and identify if and where there are concerns and then that is being counted. And theres a lot of motion within each. And what you saw the necessity in terms of setting up outreach. And they are all very eager to hear from you. They give her having me on the panel i completely agree with what has been said and even in the highly partisan times across the political spectrum. They will tell you how well they are working to secure that system and thats a tremendous victory i have been doing elections over 20 years in the Justice Department and then since 2016 founding my new concerns. One target is the infrastructure to rely upon technology more and more it is much more accurate and quicker for those who have challenges. But that technology does become the target we do know the Voter Registration database is targeted many other attempts were made to infiltrate but perhaps the bigger target to diminish confidence that our system of democracy is working with the voice of the people and we have to be very considerate about those targets because they have to secure the system and theyve done a much better job at that. Now we have paper ballots in more places now georgia has paper ballots philadelphia, philadelphia, north carolina, carolina, they did not have them in 2016 but they do now and then well have robust audits statewide in georgia and michigan and virginia. We didnt have that 2016 that is a remarkable improvement we have done a better job to secure those actual infrastructures that we are more secure in 2020 than we have ever been. Voters are not necessarily absorbing the security and integrity of the system know election and is without risk. Because its very important they all have access to the system. We can build a house with no doors and no windows so we are trying very hard to build a system and then to be sure we have done a good job in this november expanded mail voting i anticipate there will be a record for every ballot cast those mail Voting Service it is a very effective option but it may not be the best one the one thing we have to remember the president ial election the largest number of infrequent voters show up to vote primary ccing much more familiar with the system they are much more likely to make errors and those that could be prone then cause the vote to be rejected. Thats not going to save us in and of itself with the stress to the system and we should expect a lot of in person voting. And then to blow away every record and in the primary but 800,000 and people still showed up to vote in person other polling places. We will need to have ample opportunity and they need to be different than we experience in the past because of covid and accommodate social distancing that itself is not a bad thing it may be a good thing and maybe there are more places people can vote than one single place may be a vote center and we have to figure out how to accommodate that. We need to figure out how to make that work in thats coworkers getting enough people to volunteer it is such an important job i cannot recommend more to those who are watching this please volunteer. We will need millions of poor workers in november every election official has a challenge. Also with Voter Education and to have a different voting experience they will see different options or different deadlines different locations in the polling places those all need to be expressed over time. Requesting thingsa mailin ballot, going out and returning it early or voting in person if thats best. The fewer people did show up in the afternoon is going to be best for everyone, officials, everyone. Thats what we are seeing overall and im fairly optimistic that the messages mes getting through to officials from the fight scene. A quick question, some have reflected on this in terms of preparation and planning, first of all how do people find out and when do they need to apply because here we are already 100 days else we should be getting back now. It varies by state but in general in most places you can apply now. The best single place to go is the National Association of created a website called canivote. Org particularly in this state its important to go to official sources for information and i recommend you go to someplace like age, there is a button you can click to volunteer and it will take you to the appropriate site, but if you know which county you live and you can go to the county election site and volunteer directly. Officials are very busy depending with the schedule is. What the schedule is. Theres been a primary is coming up in august. But definitely try to volunteer. Thats the best way to do it and plan as well as possible so they can get you trained earlier. A little bit of practical advice on how to do these things. Susan, along with other brookings colleagues, you have an activity going on related to voting. I know you have a Research Project thats under way and to address some of the things being raised here but youve been working very closely with the legal aspects of this, and i wonder if you might share with everybody some of the things youve shared with us in preparat