FOSTER CITY, Calif. (Oct. 29, 2019) – Agari, the next-generation Secure Email Cloud that restores trust to the inbox, announced today the results of what is believed to be the first-ever, registered-voter poll on the topic of election security. The poll of more than 800 registered U.S. voters explores sentiment, attitude, and concerns around cyber threats facing 2020 U.S. presidential campaigns and the voting public.
“U.S. Presidential Election Day 2020 is one year out,” said Armen Najarian, Chief Identity Officer, Agari. “And it is alarming that just 1 of 13 of the campaigns polling above 1 percent have taken all steps to protect their staff against spear-phishing attacks and the voting public against email-based candidate impersonation.”
It was a spear-phishing attack that many believe turned the tide of the 2016 presidential election cycle when threat actors penetrated the email account of Clinton Campaign Manager, John Podesta.
Email security controls are crucial since more than 90% of breaches occur through email. The email channel is the preferred tool for threat actors.
Findings from the poll include:
- 69% of registered voters say that foreign interference in 2020 U.S. presidential election campaigns is a threat to U.S. democracy
- 91% of registered voters who are democrats;
- 44% of registered voters who are republicans
- A high level of concern among registered voters (72%) exists that foreign states will attempt to interfere in the 2020 U.S. presidential election
- 90% of democrats feel this way;
- 55% of republicans feel this way
- Receiving a fake/phishing email would prevent a majority (61%) from donating to the specific campaign from which the email appeared to come
- 59% of respondents said receiving a fake/phishing email from one campaign would negatively impact their donation to other 2020 U.S. presidential election campaigns.
- Overall, 42% of registered voters said that an email hack on a campaign would make them not vote for a candidate or question doing so.
- 44% of the registered voters polled said they believe many of the presidential campaigns have already been hacked
- 79% believe that at least some portion of campaigns have been hacked, but don’t yet know it
- 54% of the registered voters polled had an opinion about whether campaigns have taken steps to secure their elections from email threat and attacks.
- These voters believe that an average of 67% of campaigns have secured their campaigns against attacks through email.
- The perception of voters is in stark conflict with reality.
- The Agari 2020 U.S. Presidential Campaign Email Election Threat Index shows that only 1 of 13 of campaigns polling above 1 percent have taken all steps to ward off attacks through the email channel
For the full findings, click here.
Research Methodology
The poll garnered a +/-3.5% margin of error. Qualified participants took a 5-minute online poll, and data was collected over the course of seven days from October 10-16, 2019. Participants had to be 18+ years of age and a registered voter in their state of residence. 803 responses were collected and analyzed for this statistically significant report.
About Agari
Agari is transforming the legacy Secure Email Gateway with its next-generation Secure Email Cloud powered by predictive AI. Leveraging data science and real-time intelligence from trillions of emails, the Agari Identity Graph™ detects, defends and deters costly advanced email attacks including business email compromise, spear phishing and account takeover. Winner of the 2018 Best Email Security Solution by SC Magazine, Agari restores trust to the inbox for government agencies, businesses and consumers worldwide. Learn more at www.agari.com.
Media Contact
Jean Creech Avent
Sr. Director, Global Corporate Communications
Agari
+1 843-986-8229
jcreech@agari.com