European electoral and cybersecurity authorities are actively preparing for the upcoming parliamentary elections in less than 200 days. Focused on countering disinformation and ensuring cybersecurity, a joint exercise was conducted, involving national governments and agencies responsible for implementing the Digital Services Act.
The exercise aimed to assess risk mitigation measures, crisis management plans, and strategies to prevent, detect, and respond to cybersecurity attacks and hybrid threats. With the election scheduled from June 6 to June 9 next year, concerns about deepfake images, AI-powered disinformation campaigns, and the involvement of nation-state actors prompted the thorough evaluation of established structures and collaborations to secure the electoral process.
ENISA, the European cybersecurity agency, previously highlighted the risk of disinformation campaigns powered by AI tools during EU elections. The potential use of deepfakes and AI-driven automated tools by hackers and nation-states poses a significant threat.
The joint exercise brought together Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs), data protection authorities, and agencies enforcing the Digital Services Act to collectively address these challenges. Reports indicate that groups associated with Russia, Iran, and China are likely to engage in spreading fake news through social media platforms, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity measures and collaborative efforts to counter disinformation during the elections.
The exercise not only tested the strength of existing structures but also demonstrated the commitment of European authorities to proactively address the evolving threat landscape. Deepfakes, which surfaced in elections in Poland and Slovakia, underscore the urgency of tackling disinformation campaigns.
The United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Center has also warned about the likelihood of threat actors leveraging developments in artificial intelligence to target electoral systems.
As Europe gears up for the parliamentary elections, the focus on cybersecurity, risk assessment, and collaboration reflects a comprehensive approach to safeguarding the democratic process from emerging cyber threats and disinformation tactics.
