States collaborate to best defend the nation against cyber threats in 2020

Rising concerns of cyberthreats from state and non-state actors spurred by Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election demonstrate the urgency of action needed in ensuring election security. With the 2020 primaries and elections right around the corner, Meridian gathered four secretaries of state – The Honorable Robert Evnen of Nebraska, The Honorable John Merrill of Alabama, and The Honorable Tahesha Way of New Jersey, The Honorable John Wobensmith of Maryland - at an Insights@Meridian briefing moderated by PBS NewsHour Senior National Correspondent, Amna Nawaz, on January 30th to discuss the critical role of the states in overseeing election security. The secretaries of state were in Washington, DC for the annual Winter Conference of the National Association of Secretaries of State, which partnered with Meridian to convene the discussion.

Fifty foreign ambassadors and heads of political sections gained a deeper understanding of the steps that different states are taking to ensure citizens’ access to voting in free and fair elections. Despite the secretaries having unique portfolios in combating election interference, on questions regarding how each secretary guarantees their respective states’ general election security, there was a resounding consensus of the importance of tabletop exercises with key actors like the National Guard in the electoral process as well as the presence of devices that help detect an intrusion in the system.

There was also general agreement on the importance of states taking the lead on election security. According to the secretaries, greater security can be achieved if there are 50 possible points of entry compared to one. A compromise in one state’s voting system can help other state governments prepare for and prevent an intrusion from occurring in the rest of the country. Furthermore, the speakers asserted that the states could use more consistent funding from the federal government towards appropriate levels of election security. However, it was noted that the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and Department of Homeland Security have been very helpful in their efforts.

Diplomats also learned more about opportunities for trade and investment that the secretaries of states oversee. Way and Merrill serve as Co-Chairs for the International Relations Committee of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). Merrill emphasized the importance of fostering exchanges with other countries whether that be cultural, educational, political or economic as well as future investments to help foster a greater understanding of global challenges and how to solve them together since “we all live on the same planet and breathe the same air.” Ambassadors from various embassies across the globe also had the chance to ask questions from the panelists. Topics included gerrymandering, poll workers’ working conditions across different states, and top industries shared between the states and the countries of the embassy.

Insights@Meridian and other Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement programs serve to provide the international diplomatic corps with a better understanding of U.S. domestic policies from multiple perspectives. For more information, please visit meridian.org/diplomacy.

Maryland Deputy Secretary of State Luis Borunda asks the secretaries of state about their differing experiences at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of the Meridian International Center, introduces Amna Nawaz, PBS NewsHour correspondent, Maryland Secretary of State John Wobensmith, New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way, Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen, and Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Chargé d’Affaires Gerardo Diaz Bartolome of the Embassy of Argentina enjoys remarks made at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

His Excellency Kerfalla Yansane, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea, His Excellency Carlos Dos Santos, Ambassador of Mozambique, and Her Excellency Thelma Philip-Browne, Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis, pose for a photo at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Maschenka Braganca, Political Counselor at the Embassy of Austria, in discussion with Maryland Secretary of State John Wobensmith at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Amna Nawaz, Senior National Correspondent for PBS NewsHour moderates an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Maryland Secretary of State John Wobensmith discusses the ways that his state connects with countries around the globe at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

His Excellency Carlos Dos Santos, Ambassador of Mozambique invites American governmental delegations to visit his country at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

His Excellency Francisco Campbell, Ambassador of Nicaragua and His Excellency Sidney Stanley Collie, Ambassador of the Bahamas share a laugh at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Ambassadors and heads of political section hear about election security at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Argentina Gerardo Diaz Bartolome connects with Hernan Albamonte, Head of Illicit Trade, US for PMI at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Amna Nawaz, PBS NewsHour correspondent, Maryland Secretary of State John Wobensmith, New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way, Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen, and Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

His Excellency Carlos Dos Santos, Ambassador of Mozambique and His Excellency Pjer Simunovic, Ambassador of Croatia listen, pay close attention to four secretaries of state at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Benjamin Mnairakiza, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Burundi, Mcusi Shongwe of the Embassy of Eswatini, and His Excellency Sankatana Gabriel Maja, Ambassador of Lesotho meet at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way and Her Excellency Floreta Faber, Ambassador of Albania, pose for a photo at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Her Excellency Rosemary Banks, Ambassador of New Zealand asks, raises a question during an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Maryland Secretary of State John Wobensmith, Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen, New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of the Meridian International Center, and Amna Nawaz, PBS NewsHour correspondent, pose for a photo at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Maggie Miller, Cybersecurity Reporter at The Hill, asks the secretaries of state questions at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen, Bernard Acquah, Embassy of Ghana, Genevieve Apaloo, Embassy of Ghana, and His Excellency Sankatana Gabriel Maja, Ambassador of Lesotho, engage in lively conversation at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill discusses the differences among the roles of the secretaries of states in the U.S. at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Heleen Bakker, Embassy of the Netherlands and Genevieve Apaloo, Embassy of Ghana listen intently to Steve Smout, Embassy of Belgium at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.

Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen talks about the ways that his state provides assurances to the electorate at an Insights@Meridian program on January 30, 2020. Photo by Jess Latos.