---
title: "Protect Your Campaign: Michael Kaiser on Digital Security for Women Running for Office"
description: "What cyber threats will you actually face as a candidate, and how can you protect your campaign without breaking the bank? In this episode of Tips from the Trail, Larissa Martinez sits down with Michael Kaiser, President & CEO of Defending Digital Campaigns, to break down practical cybersecurity strategies for women running for office. Learn why passkeys are the #1 security step you must take, how to create a culture of cybersecurity in your campaign, and what mistakes to avoid in high-risk environments. This episode is essential for candidates who want to understand risk management, protect campaign data, and secure their digital presence without overwhelming their budget or team."
---

[Blog – Women's Public Leadership Network ](https://womenspublicleadership.net/blog)

# [Protect Your Campaign: Michael Kaiser on Digital Security for Women Running for Office](https://womenspublicleadership.net/blog/protect-your-campaign-michael-kaiser-on-digital-security-for-women-running-for-office)

 Written by [WPLN Staff](https://womenspublicleadership.net/blog/author/wpln-staff) | Oct 6, 2025 2:00:00 PM

[Women’s Public Leadership Network (WPLN)](https://womenspublicleadership.net/) is excited to continue our podcast series, "**Tips From The Trail**," hosted by WPLN Founder & President Larissa Martinez, where we explore the path to political office, from the decision to run to election day.

Running for office means you're not just managing volunteers and fundraising—you're also managing risk. And in today's digital landscape, campaign cybersecurity is often overlooked, especially by first-time candidates who may not realize they're walking into a data-rich, high-risk environment.

In this episode, sponsored by Google, Larissa sits down with Michael Kaiser, an internationally known cybersecurity and privacy expert. Michael is the President & CEO of Defending Digital Campaigns (DDC), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting political campaigns from cyber threats. Check out insights from Larissa’s conversation with Michael below!

### **The Real Threats You're Facing**

When most people think about cyber threats, they imagine hackers stealing credit card numbers. But campaigns face a different set of bad actors with different motivations:

**Cybercriminals** want to steal money from your campaign accounts.

**Nation states** are after intelligence—opposition research, campaign strategy, donor lists.

**Hacktivists** may target you if they disagree with your policy positions or simply oppose government in general.

When campaigns are attacked, people are the targets. Your team, your volunteers, your vendors—anyone with access to campaign data or accounts can become the entry point. “Many significant cyber attacks start with simple mistakes,” Michael explained. This could include emailing the wrong person or clicking on a convincing phishing link. When you're running a fast-paced campaign with dozens of moving pieces, it's easy to overlook these threats.

### **Start With Free Protection**

The good news? You don't need a massive budget to protect your campaign. Tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Cloudflare offer **free tools** specifically designed for political campaigns.

**The number one action you must take**: Set up strong authentication with passkeys. These are digital credentials that live on your device—they're passwordless and unphishable. This single step prevents most account compromises.

### **Take Action This Month**

1. **Set up passkeys** on all campaign accounts and require them for your entire team.
2. **Use Google's free tools** to monitor and remove your personal information from search results.
3. **Sign up for dark web monitoring** to get alerts if campaign credentials are compromised.

[Visit DDC's website](https://defendcampaigns.org/protect-yourself) for step-by-step instructions on setting up these protections. You can also access their full knowledge base and helpdesk at [defendcampaigns.org/resources](http://defendcampaigns.org/resources).

Running for office is challenging enough without worrying about cyber threats. But with free tools and smart practices, you can protect yourself and your team without breaking the bank or slowing down your campaign.

[Check out the full episode on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts!](https://womenspublicleadership.net/podcast)

**ABOUT THE GUEST**

Michael Kaiser is an internationally known cybersecurity and privacy expert. In the decade prior to becoming the President and CEO of [Defending Digital Campaigns (DDC)](https://defendcampaigns.org/), Mr. Kaiser was the Executive Director of the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). He led and grew NCSA’s efforts promoting a safer, more secure and more trusted Internet, including signature programs such as National Cyber Security Awareness Month. NCSA’s work earned several awards including in 2017 winning the SC Magazine Editor's Choice Award, and two Silver Anvil Awards from the Public Relations Society of America. 

Earlier in his career, Mr. Kaiser held executive management positions at the National Center for Victims of Crime in Washington, DC and Safe Horizon in New York City. He led the development and implementation of programs for victims of domestic violence, stalking, teen victims, and others whose lives had been impacted by crime. 

Visit [defendcampaigns.org](http://defendcampaigns.org/) to view free resources and take the first step to protect yourself and your campaign.

[View full post](https://womenspublicleadership.net/blog/protect-your-campaign-michael-kaiser-on-digital-security-for-women-running-for-office)

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