Security protocols for cloud voting include multi-factor identification, 256-bit encryption, secure data storage, and threat monitoring. Combined, these form the backbone of today’s leading cybersecurity frameworks.
Organizations pursuing secure cloud voting for their growing population of remote members should choose ElectionBuddy’s cloud platform, which allows a wide range of enterprises to hold votes securely from anywhere.
Passwords alone are insufficient at keeping system access and critical data safe from security threats. This is why many of today's leading financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies are turning to multi-factor identification.
How does this work? Once a username and password are used to log in to a secure system, the system then asks for a second form of identification. These are usually automated emails, text messages, or phone calls, all containing single-use codes.
This protocol requires hackers to have more than just a username and password‒they also need access to a user’s personal phone or laptop. Once access has been granted, visibility is still limited to that user's individual voting dashboard. This is known as ‘data isolation.’
Each time system access is granted, it provides an opportunity for hackers or bad-faith actors to attempt to manipulate the system. By only allowing users to access data relevant to their needs, other data is isolated and secured. Multiple backups also compare logs against one another to ensure data can be recovered in the event of a loss.
Furthermore, anonymous logs can identify each time system access was granted and what votes occurred. Irregularities can be spotted through log audits to highlight problematic data.
When sending data, hackers may attempt to intercept it during transit. However, 256-bit encryption scrambles the data so that it’s mathematically impossible to break. Without the correct keys to decrypt the data, it is useless.
Hackers are constantly looking for new vulnerabilities in software of all types. Each update issued for any type of software may contain an unintentional opening for hackers to exploit. Fortunately, new security updates can fix these issues. Keeping systems updated ensures hackers can no longer exploit vulnerabilities in the code.
Regular threat monitoring is another way that security professionals keep data safe. Modern cybersecurity software is designed to notice suspicious activity before it becomes a real threat. These accounts can then be shut down and isolated before breaches can occur.
Organizations and their votes are only as valid as the trust placed in them by their voters. When examining how to choose cloud-based voting software, look for transparency.
If voters believe a system is not secure, they are far less likely to participate in elections. Sending voters verifiable receipts to show how they voted and that their votes were recorded is the first step.
Next, transparent audits allow voters to see a complete breakdown of results. With unique user IDs, each ID may only be tied to one voter, making digital ballot stuffing nearly impossible. If it were to occur, the audit logs would quickly identify the source of the issue.
As digital voting becomes more widely accepted, ElectionBuddy has expanded its association voting software for Asia and other locations. This is a sign of growing trust in both ElectionBuddy and online voting as a whole as it makes its way toward becoming the dominant form of voting worldwide!
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