The year 2024 proved to be pivotal for democracies around the globe as more than 60 countries, along with the European Union, conducted national elections. This widespread electoral activity not only shaped the political landscapes of nations but also highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity and internet traffic management during elections.
According to Cloudflare’s recently released Impact report, the digital impact of these elections was significant, with threats and trends illustrating how elections are increasingly playing out on the internet. The report noted the importance of securing media outlets, political campaigns, and election resources worldwide.
During this notable election year, major powers like the United States and Russia held their respective presidential elections, which were characterized by heightened cybersecurity measures and challenges. For example, the United States' elections on November 5 saw Donald Trump reclaim the presidency, marking the significance of online platforms to both engage voters and shield elections from potential disruptions.
Cloudflare's data illustrated how internet traffic patterns fluctuated dramatically on election days across the globe. For example, during the US elections, there was a staggering spike of up to 15% more internet traffic, particularly after polls closed. Key moments heightened interest with DNS requests surging by over 750% toward polling services, highlighting the reliance on digital platforms for engagement.
Political disruption was clearly on display throughout the year, with various cyber threats being pointed out by Cloudflare. It reported more than 6 billion malicious requests being thwarted in the US during the week leading up to election day. DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks targeted both campaigns and election infrastructure, peaking at 700,000 requests per second. This manifested as political websites faced relentless assaults, particularly notable across countries, including France, the UK, and South Africa.
Globally, concerns over election-related cyberattacks grew. For example, on July 7, the French elections faced skilled cyberattacks with one occurring at over 96,000 requests per second. Similarly, the UK witnessed attacks reaching 156,000 requests per second shortly after results were announced on July 4. Such incidents underscored the necessity for heightened cybersecurity protocols to safeguard electoral integrity.
Internet shutdowns imposed by authorities prior to or during elections also emerged as concerning trends. Notably, Comoros experienced internet restrictions during and after its January elections, resulting in significant drops—up to 50%—in internet traffic. Such measures have illustrated the political dimensions of internet accessibility during voting periods.
The impact of device usage on internet traffic was especially pronounced during elections as well. Mobile-first nations saw unique traffic behaviors during polling times, as evidenced by Indonesia’s January election, where internet traffic decreased by 15% during voting hours. This pointed to mobile usage patterns and public behaviors surrounding electoral processes.
Looking at individual cases, the elections held across the African continent signaled considerable cyber risks. South Africa's election marked the first time the African National Congress lost its majority since apartheid. The general elections drew substantial attention, and after polling closures, overall internet traffic decreased significantly.
Noteworthy also was the European Union parliamentary elections held between June 6 and 9. Faced with the dual pressures of increased voter engagement and cyber threats, many EU member states recognized the vulnerabilities of digital infrastructure to manipulation during significant political events.
During this electoral wave, it became evident how intertwined our digital and democratic processes are. The internet serves as both a facilitator of democratic engagement and as fodder for malicious attacks, demanding urgent attention to cybersecurity measures.
To offer another perspective, the analysis provided by Cloudflare indicated aware and proactive engagement from governmental bodies and tech providers as pivotal for protecting the electoral processes. The report suggested collaborative efforts are needed not only to address operational challenges but also to proactively fend off potential threats like DDoS attacks and misinformation campaigns.
The takeaway message from 2024's global electoral activities is clear: as societies increasingly rely on digital platforms for democratic engagement, the urgency for effective cybersecurity grows exponentially. The intersection of technology and governance has never been more pronounced, opening avenues for discussions about ethical governance, effective policy frameworks, and secure democratic practices.
Going forward, governments worldwide need to refine their strategies to address the continuously changing digital threat environment, ensuring elections remain free, fair, and accessible, even as they navigate the cyber duress evident during the 2024 electoral season.
It's important to look back on these events as they lay the groundwork for future elections, encompassing the lessons learned and strategies developed to protect democratic processes for years to come. The 2024 election year serves as more than just a pivotal point; it indicates the next steps for safeguarding democracy within the digital age.
