The no-cost training is intended to fortify internal networks, and boost front-line workers’ cyber awareness. The program will send suspicious-looking emails to election staff to “test their ability to identify and report fraudulent and dangerous emails,” according to a news release.
“Cybersecurity is no longer optional for government agencies; it’s essential,” Secretary of State Frank LaRose said in a statement Tuesday, calling the move “practical, proactive training that helps election officials spot threats before they become incidents.”
The endeavor began as a pilot with Adams and Fayette counties, the office said in the news release, and is now available to “the majority of Ohio’s boards of elections that utilize website and email support from our office.”
It’s one of several moves the SOS has made to secure elections, as offices across the U.S. face rising cyber and physical threats during a busy election season. Fraudulent emails are one of the many concerns in this area of cybersecurity. According to a recent Check Point Research report, 2026 U.S. Midterm Election Threat Outlook, cyber threats, disinformation and disruption are all intended to erode trust in the election process.
Specifically, it notes that “phishing remains one of the most likely operational threats surrounding the 2026 election cycle.” This is due to the crime’s scalability and low cost, with campaign staffers, consultants and election officials in the mix of potential targets. AI-enhanced attacks, which are on the rise, can make phishing emails even more difficult to recognize.
Ohio’s elections boards must also do security compliance audits and make any necessary remediations by Aug. 31, according to Directive 2026-20.
Boards must follow cybersecurity requirements including using the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s cyber hygiene vulnerability scanning service, registering for Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center alerts and emails, using Albert sensors, and using a provided security information and event management service. The SOS is providing $10,000 grants to help offices meet the requirements.
