Guinn Center Facilitates Panel Discussion on Election Cyber-Infrastructure

The Guinn Center's Executive Director, Jill Tolles, moderated a panel of cybersecurity experts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, to facilitate a critical and timely discussion on election cybersecurity. The panel was held on October 4, 2024, on the UNLV campus.

Joining Tolles was Kathy Cruz, a practice leader at Mandiant Consulting, now part of Google Public Sector, who contributed her decades of cybersecurity expertise to the dialogue. Ms. Cruz discussed the threats she has encountered while working with stakeholders, the origins of these threats, and strategies to counteract these risks. She also emphasized the role of public-private collaboration in enhancing election cyber resilience.

Adding further insight, Dr. Yoohwan Kim, a professor of computer science at UNLV and a recognized authority in the field, addressed the department’s initiatives to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Dr. Kim highlighted the clinics, boot camps, and "Hackathons" he organizes to equip students with practical experience relevant to future cybersecurity roles.

With the general election approaching, policymakers, election administrators, and candidates are closely monitoring efforts to safeguard digital election infrastructure. The Guinn Center has published several policy briefs on Nevada's election processes -- including an FAQ on the state's electronic voter registration management system -- in an effort to provide educational tools to voters and policymakers.

The Center also continues to monitor policy trends in artificial intelligence -- its uses, benefits, and risks -- in elections and governance.

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