National Guard cybersecurity team helps secure Ohio election

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s elections chief says the National Guard is among agencies helping to keep the swing state’s election safe.

Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted (HYOO’-sted) said Tuesday the Guard’s cyberprotection unit is testing for vulnerabilities in the state’s computer system before the Nov. 8 election. Guard members haven’t been formally activated, which would require an order from Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sihk).

The cybersecurity help follows claims by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump the U.S. election is “rigged.” Democrats have sued in Ohio and several other states, alleging such statements are being used by Republicans and Trump’s campaign in a conspiracy to intimidate voters.

Husted has repeatedly assured the public Ohio’s election will be safe.

The National Guard joins the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, private security experts and others in monitoring Ohio’s election security.