In the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. elections, the government anticipates several types of cyber threats from various threat actors. The main types of anticipated attacks include:

1. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks: These attacks could hinder access to election information but are not expected to prevent voting. DDoS attacks aim to overwhelm systems with traffic, potentially disrupting access to websites and online services related to elections.

2. Cyber Espionage and Cyber Attacks: These are often carried out by state-sponsored actors aiming to gather intelligence or disrupt election processes. Such attacks can target election systems and infrastructure.

3. Information Operations: These involve the spread of misinformation or disinformation to influence public perception and sow discord.

4. Ransomware Attacks: Cybercriminals may use ransomware to encrypt data and demand payment for decryption, potentially targeting election-related systems.

5. Insider Threats: These involve individuals within organizations who may intentionally or unintentionally compromise election security.

The primary threat actors expected to target the elections include:

• State-Sponsored Actors: Countries like Russia and China are often cited as significant threats, with motivations ranging from espionage to influencing political outcomes.

• Cybercriminals: Motivated by financial gain, they may engage in ransomware attacks or data theft.

• Hacktivists: These actors are driven by ideological motives and may attempt to disrupt or vandalize systems to make a political statement.

• Insiders: Individuals within organizations who may pose a risk due to malicious intent or negligence.

The U.S. government, through agencies like CISA and the FBI, is actively working to mitigate these threats by providing guidance and resources to election officials and private sector partners.