Political campaigns face a particular challenge: they need to hold private, proprietary information securely, but they also need to welcome every volunteer who walks through the door and empower them to help the campaign.

Most smaller, local campaigns give almost no thought to digital security. Passwords and online documents are openly shared with volunteers who come and go. Communication tools are ad hoc and often insecure. Their hope is that a grassroots surge will carry the campaign to victory, and security protocols look like impediments to organic growth.

Even larger campaigns that have some consideration for security are often unprepared for low-tech phishing and social engineering. Security systems are often put in place and then forgotten, giving users a false sense of security.

Digital Safe Space works with political campaigns to protect sensitive information while managing a flexible, secure workflow with campaign staff and volunteers. Digital Safe Space performs security assessments, runs workshops with campaign managers and designated staff, and offers ongoing consulting and recommendations as needed.

Services

Security Survey

An in-person meeting with campaign and organization leadership. We will evaluate communication protocols already in place, digital tools being used, staff and volunteer on-boarding and off-boarding, and intake of digital information from the field.

Some common questions: who has access to domain-level credentials; have you implemented 2-factor authentication; how do you manage individual and organizational passwords; what credentials are volunteers given; how is important data backed up?

We will identify vulnerabilities, help contextualize security concerns for your organization, and prepare a formal recommendation with suggested tools and protocols.

90 minutes for up to five participants, $1500.

Security Seminar

We will meet with campaign and organization staff to teach a deeper understanding of security concepts and apply them to evaluate common communication and online tools.

Importantly, we will demystify digital security by taking an approach that closely relates to physical security. We aim to give users more control over their own digital world. Concepts covered: encryption, password management, 2-factor authentication.

90 minutes for up to 12 participants, $1500.

Security Workshop

Depending on the specific needs of your organization or campaign, we will meet and work with staff to implement specific recommended security and communication tools.

For example, we can help senior staff set up 2-factor authentication for important accounts, or implement team password management. The workshop will reinforce the need for these security tools and give staff the ability to implement these tools themselves more broadly for the organization.

90 minutes for up to eight participants, $1500.

Security Assessment

For organizations and campaigns that require a comprehensive set of security recommendations, we will conduct a detailed assessment that goes beyond our initial survey.

We will meet with management, staff, and volunteers to find specific vulnerabilities, make recommendations to meet those challenges, and draft checklists and instructions for implementation.

Price depends on organization size, starting at $5000.

Ongoing Consulting

Digital Safe Space is also available for ongoing security and technology consulting, for specific projects or for security review as needed.

$180 per hour.

Security for Political Campaigns