Kompromat : how Russia undermined American democracy
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"A timely and essential book from the CBS correspondent who has led their coverage of Russia election interference and the FBI counterintelligence investigation into whether the Trump Campaign coordinated with the Russians. In this compelling account of how the Russians hacked the 2016 US election, CBS News Justice and Homeland Security correspondent Jeff Pegues reveals how far the Kremlin poked into voter databases and why it happened. He also investigates the steps taken to shore up election systems in states across the country ahead of the 2018 midterm elections and, indeed, the 2020 presidential election. Based on exclusive interviews with officials from the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security, and with cybersecurity experts, Kompromat takes readers behind the scenes and into the minds of investigators following the case. Pegues delves into the shadowy world of Russian spies, unraveling the complicated web of contacts between Russian operatives and Trump representatives during and after the campaign. In one chapter, he focuses on Valery Gerasimov, widely believed to be the mastermind behind a Russian cyber strategy designed to influence and disrupt democracies. Evidence is presented showing that the Russians infiltrated not only Democratic Party computer networks in the US, but networks in Ukraine and Europe as well. Consulting with representatives of top cyber security firms, the author discusses what states are doing to protect voting systems in the next midterm elections and beyond. Fascinating and chilling at the same time, Kompromat opens a window into the murky world of espionage, digital warfare, and a newly aggressive Russia brazenly inserting itself into US politics"--,Provided by publisher.

"A CBS correspondent presents an in-depth examination of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign and measures to protect US voting systems against future cyber attacks"--,Provided by publisher.