On Nov. 7, a press release was published detailing efforts by the National Guard to focus on the integrity of polling and the security of the electoral process. The release said in Iowa the Guard would assist with selection security (I’m guessing they mean election security), providing 24-hour threat monitoring.
“We are proud to once again serve our state and community by defending our election cyberspace domain,” said Air Force Capt. Brett Leighton, the team leader with the Iowa National Guard’s Joint Task Force Cyber.
About a month after the election, The Iowa Standard sent an open records request to the Iowa National Guard asking for any public records that include any and all reports and observations recorded or submitted by the Guard related to the 2022 Iowa Midterm Elections.
On Dec. 12, FOIA Records Manager Jaime Yowler responded to the request with a letter that said there was indeed a responsive record that met the scope of The Iowa Standard’s request, but…
“This record is a confidential public record and will not be disclosed pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.7(50). The disclosure of this record would compromise the efforts of cyber defense and may significantly increase the vulnerability of critical physical and digital systems.”
The Guard included the following press release that it said describes the efforts and scope of the cybersecurity mission for election support.
Media Release_National Guard Provides Critical Election Cybersecurity_7NOV22
