Criticism of Federal Cybersecurity Plan's Timing and Funding Under Mullin Administration

The nation’s cybersecurity agency released an election infrastructure security plan 40 days before the November midterms. This release followed a promise by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to announce the plan by mid-August. Cisco Aguilar, Secretary of State for Nevada, criticized the plan, stating it was both inadequate and belated due to previous administration cuts to election security work.

The criticism centered on the federal government’s failure to provide adequate funding for cybersecurity initiatives. Election officials noted that they were forced to seek private services to prepare for the upcoming elections.