# DoD Directs Cyber Forces to Defend Elections

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s September 22 memorandum, released publicly September 28, directs U.S. Cyber Command and defense intelligence agencies to prioritize protecting the 2026 elections from foreign threats and coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security. The NSA and other military cyber and intelligence forces are expected to support election-system defense ahead of the November 3, 2026 midterm elections. The signals describe an operational priority—not a new solicitation, contract award, or funded procurement—and identify no contract value or procurement timeline.

- Contractors with election cybersecurity, cyber defense, or threat-intelligence capabilities can assess how their existing offerings support the stated defense and DHS coordination priorities; the signals do not identify a specific acquisition to bid on.
- The directive points to continued federal demand for election-security capabilities amid reported reductions in civilian election-security support, but any follow-on contracting remains unspecified.
- With the election 33 days away as of October 1, 2026, businesses should distinguish near-term operational support needs from future procurement opportunities and avoid treating the directive itself as a solicitation.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** September 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- U.S. Cyber Command (Cyber Command)
- National Security Agency (NSA)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

### Key Quotes
> mobilize every authorized asset, capability, and partnership under your command to defend our election infrastructure from foreign malign influence and ensure that every lawful voter can cast their ballot free from foreign intimidation, coercion, or fear.
> — Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary

> By working in lockstep with federal, state, and local partners, U.S. Cyber Command and our defense intelligence teams will defend the integrity of America’s voting systems, expose foreign malign influence, and ensure our democratic processes remain secure from external manipulation while protecting the fundamental freedoms of the American people.
> — Sean Parnell, Chief Pentagon Spokesman

### Sources
- [Hegseth says national security, military cyber forces to guard election systems](https://www.tampabay28.com/politics/elections/hegseth-says-national-security-military-cyber-forces-will-guard-us-election-systems-during-midterms) - Tampa Bay 28
- [Hegseth orders cyber, intelligence agencies to prioritize election defense - Nextgov/FCW](https://www.fcw.com/defense/2026/09/hegseth-orders-cyber-intelligence-agencies-prioritize-election-defense/416288) - Nextgov/FCW
- [Hegseth says national security, military cyber forces will guard US election systems during midterms - MyNorthwest.com](https://mynorthwest.com/national/hegseth-says-national-security-military-cyber-forces-will-guard-us-election-systems-during-midterms/4281036) - MyNorthwest.com