Hillicon Valley: Simulated cyberattack success | New bill for election security funding | Amazon could be liable for defective products

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(SIMULATED) CYBERATTACK ON CRITICAL SYSTEMS: The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced Friday the successful completion of a biannual simulated cyberattack aimed at preparing the U.S. and its partners to defend against a real attack on critical systems.

The three-day exercise, known as “Cyber Storm,” involved 2,000 participants from the fields of private industry, the federal government and international groups, and was described by CISA as the most extensive cybersecurity exercise in the United States.

CISA Assistant Director for Infrastructure Security Brian Harrell told reporters Friday following the end of the simulation that it was important to simulate a debilitating attack to increase coordination between all the potential groups, all of whom worked together remotely from their homes or places of work during the exercise.

“We’re more connected than ever, which means our nation’s critical infrastructure faces increased risks from cyber-attacks,” Harrell said in a statement. “No one company or government agency can be expected to go it alone, which is why exercises like Cyber Storm bring everyone together to discuss and exercise how we would respond collectively to a cyber-attack. Each Cyber Storm our coordination and capabilities get better, and this year was no different.”

He told reporters that the simulation — which mimics potential attacks on critical systems but does not actually attack or disrupt these systems — involved an “all out attack on different sectors” that was modeled on the capabilities of real-world adversaries.

“Now is the time to exercise under blue sky conditions, you don’t want to exchange business cards during a hurricane,” Harrell told reporters. “The Cyber Storm exercise elements represented actual and potential risks and attacks were made to be as realistic as possible.”

Read more about the exercise here.

CYBER ELECTION RESOURCES: Reps. John KatkoJohn Michael KatkoHillicon Valley: Simulated cyberattack success | New bill for election security funding | Amazon could be liable for defective products Lawmakers introduce bill to help election officials address cyber vulnerabilities Congress must deliver aid and empower localities to continue assisting in COVID-19 response MORE (R-N.Y.) and Kathleen RiceKathleen Maura RiceHillicon Valley: Simulated cyberattack success | New bill for election security funding | Amazon could be liable for defective products Lawmakers introduce bill to help election officials address cyber vulnerabilities House lawmakers to launch probe into DHS excluding NY from Trusted Traveler Program MORE (D-N.Y.) on Friday introduced legislation to provide election officials with enhanced cybersecurity resources, as authorities ramp up warnings of foreign interference in U.S. elections this year.

The Cyber Navigators Act would provide funds for states and local authorities to hire cyber professionals to provide election-related cybersecurity support. The funds would be distributed to states by the Election Assistance Commission as part of a grant program.

Katko, who serves as ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee cybersecurity subcommittee, said in a statement that the legislation marked a “continuation” of efforts to work with Republicans and Democrats to address election security concerns.

“As we quickly approach November’s General Election, state and local governments must have the resources to ensure the integrity of their election systems,” Katko said. “This bipartisan bill authorizes a grant program to enable state and local governments to hire cybersecurity professionals capable of detecting and addressing vulnerabilities within election systems to strengthen our election security.”

The cybersecurity of elections has been an area of concern since the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, when Russian agents targeted election infrastructure in all 50 states, successfully accessing systems in Florida and Illinois, among other hacking and disinformation efforts. There is no evidence that any votes were changed.

A senior intelligence official warned last week that Russia, China and Iran were attempting to interfere in the U.S. presidential election this year as well, with Russia favoring President TrumpDonald John TrumpUPS, FedEx shut down calls to handle mail-in ballots, warn of ‘significant’ problems: report Controversial GOP Georgia candidate attempts to distance from QAnon Trump orders TikTok parent company to sell US assets within 90 days MORE, and China favoring former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenOn The Money: Economists flabbergasted after Congress leaves with no deal | Markets rise as the economy struggles | Retail sales slow in July Congress exits with no deal, leaving economists flabbergasted Trump touts NYC police union endorsement: ‘Pro-cop all the way’ MORE.