Safeguarding Elections Against Hybrid Threats: A Defensive Playbook
Free elections are the cornerstone of democratic governance. They embody the social contract between citizens and the state, offering both the means to govern and the mechanism for accountability. Today that contract is increasingly under attack. Hybrid threats, blending information manipulation, cyberattacks and illicit political finance, target not only electoral processes, but also the very trust and social fabric on which democracy depends.
This report reflects FBA’s commitment to support efforts towards free and legitimate elections. It brings together practical insights to examine how hybrid threats manifest through information operations, illicit finance and cyberattacks, and how coordinated, governance-centred strategies can reinforce electoral integrity. Its recommendations emphasize the importance of whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, the institutionalization of cooperation networks, and a continuous cycle of preparedness that extends beyond election day.