(From left to right) Guinn Center for Policy Priorities Executive Director, Jill Tolles; UNLV Computer Science Professor, Yoohwan Kim; and Mandiant Practice Leader, Kathy Cruz talk prior to the panel discussion starting.
Kicking off Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the UNLV College of Engineering hosted the "Cyber Resiliency in American Elections" panel discussion featuring UNLV Computer Science Professor and cybersecurity expert Yoohwan Kim. He was joined by five-time CIO and Mandiant (now part of Google Cloud), Practice Leader Kathy Cruz, and Executive Director for the Jill Tolles, who led the discussion.
Hosted in the Flexatorium in UNLV’s Advanced Engineering Building, the discussion focused on the roles of people, processes, and technology in securing information, the critical need to actively hunt for indicators of compromise in the lead-up to elections, and the evolving impact of AI—both as a threat and as a tool to enhance security.
Professor Kim brought his expertise to the discussion by sharing insights on his own research. He underscored the importance of continuous research and innovation in the fight against cyber threats, giving the example of vulnerabilities being anywhere a computer system exists.
With her background in the public sector, Kathy Cruz provided insights into the intricacies of the voting process and shared her experiences safeguarding these systems. Her contributions illuminated how public-sector professionals are adapting to rapidly evolving cyber threats and reinforcing the integrity of election infrastructures.
As the elections draw near, the panel underscored the importance of public education. They not only discussed the security of current election processes but also provided practical steps that individuals can take to protect themselves. This emphasis on actionable advice empowered the audience in the face of cyber threats.
Written by Mikayla Tuzon