The head of the government’s election security agency was swatted in December

The head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), responsible for safeguarding the US election infrastructure, fell victim to a terrifying swatting incident in December. Swatting involves falsely reporting emergencies to trigger an armed police response. This incident is just one in a recent wave of swatting calls targeting judges and public officials across the country.

Politicization and Cybersecurity

Election security has become a heavily politicized issue, with the CISA’s efforts to educate and inform the public on voting processes drawing criticism from House Republicans. Jen Easterly, the director of CISA, has faced particular scrutiny. The swatting incident at her home address, as reported by cybersecurity news website The Record, shows the severity of the situation.

Investigation Underway

Following the incident, the Arlington County Police Department launched an investigation. In late December, a 911 call claimed there was a shooting inside Easterly’s residence. Police officers swiftly responded but discovered no evidence of a shooting or injuries. Easterly was at home alone during the incident, according to a CISA spokesperson.

A Disturbing Trend

Easterly highlighted the concerning trend of swatting and direct personal threats towards public officials. She emphasized the serious risks posed not only to the individuals and their families but also to law enforcement officers responding to such situations. Though Easterly’s experience was harrowing, it is sadly not unique. Public officials from all sides of the political spectrum have faced similar threats in recent years.

CISA and Partisan Harassment

CISA had previously avoided partisan harassment until after the 2020 election. Former President Donald Trump fired the then-CISA director, Christopher Krebs, over fact-checking efforts on the agency’s website that debunked falsehoods surrounding the election. Under Easterly’s leadership, CISA has scaled back some of its initiatives to combat election misinformation and disinformation.

The Challenge of Attribution

Identifying the culprits behind swatting calls can be challenging. Many of these calls are facilitated by artificial intelligence-aided online services, making it difficult to trace their origin. Swatting incidents have been on the rise, targeting public officials such as Judge Tanya Chutkin and special counsel Jack Smith, as well as the White House itself.

Addressing the Issue

During a recent virtual press briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre voiced concerns over the growing trend of swatting. She acknowledged the dangers and risks these calls pose to society and assured that the Secret Service is monitoring such activities closely.

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