Registered Voters Speak Out: Data Breaches Negatively Impact Votes and Donations, According to New Election Security Poll
Stark partisan views exist on foreign interference as a threat to U.S. democracy during upcoming 2020 presidential elections
FOSTER CITY, California and LONDON, Oct. 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Agari, the next-generation Secure Email Cloud that restores trust to the inbox, announced today the results of what is believed to be the first-ever, registered-voter poll on the topic of election security. The poll of more than 800 registered U.S. voters explores sentiment, attitude, and concerns around cyber threats facing 2020 U.S. presidential campaigns and the voting public.
"U.S. Presidential Election Day 2020 is one year out," said Armen Najarian, Chief Identity Officer, Agari. "And it is alarming that just 1 of 13 of the campaigns polling above one percent has taken all steps necessary to protect their staff against spear-phishing attacks and the voting public against email-based candidate impersonation."
It was a spear-phishing attack that many believe turned the tide of the 2016 presidential election cycle when threat actors penetrated the email account of Clinton Campaign Manager, John Podesta.
Email security controls are crucial since more than 90 percent of breaches occur through email. The email channel is the preferred tool for threat actors.
Findings from the poll include:
- Receiving a fake/phishing email would prevent a majority (61 percent) of registered voters from donating to the specific campaign from which the email appeared to come
- 59 percent of respondents said receiving a fake/phishing email from one campaign would negatively impact their donation to other 2020 U.S. presidential election campaigns
- Overall, 42 percent of registered voters said that an email hack on a campaign would make them not vote for a candidate or question doing so
- 44 percent of respondents said they believe many of the presidential campaigns have already been hacked
- 79 percent of these registered voters believe that at least some portion of campaigns have been hacked, but don't yet know it
- 54 percent of registered voters had an opinion about whether campaigns have taken steps to secure their elections from email threat and attacks
- These voters believe that an average of 67 percent of campaigns have secured their campaigns against attacks through email
- The perception of voters is in stark conflict with reality
- The Agari 2020 U.S. Presidential Campaign Email Election Threat Index shows that only 1 of 13 of campaigns polling above 1 percent has taken all steps necessary to ward off attacks through the email channel
Click to Tweet: @AgariInc. 2020 voter survey shows: 59% of respondents said receiving a fake/phishing email from one campaign would negatively impact their donation to other 2020 U.S. presidential election campaigns. https://bit.ly/2Pn5BBU #emailsecurity
For the full findings, click here.
Research Methodology
The poll garnered a +/-3.5 percent margin of error. Qualified participants took a 5-minute online poll, and data was collected over the course of seven days from October 10-16, 2019. Participants had to be 18+ years of age and a registered voter in their state of residence. 803 responses were collected and analysed for this statistically significant report.
About Agari
Agari is transforming the legacy Secure Email Gateway with its next-generation Secure Email Cloud powered by predictive AI. Leveraging data science and real-time intelligence from trillions of emails, the Agari Identity Graph™ detects, defends and deters costly advanced email attacks including business email compromise, spear phishing and account takeover. Winner of the 2018 Best Email Security Solution by SC Magazine, Agari restores trust to the inbox for government agencies, businesses and consumers worldwide. Learn more at www.agari.com.
Media Contact
Jean Creech Avent
Sr. Director, Global Corporate Communications
Agari
+1 843-986-8229
jcreech@agari.com
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