Even for Non-Americans, the question of election integrity has become extremely relevant to the foundation of a democratic process in the digital age. Is there a cyber war, is not the question, but who is winning it. If the experts in Kill Chain are to be trusted, then America, and other nations, are pretending that the war isn't even happening.
As documentaries go, many are made with partisan funding and motivations, and released during election campaigns with uncanny timing. Kill Chain manages to portray a bi-partisan issue with voices from more than one administration and both sides of the aisle, even if it directly attacks key Republicans. The message is clear, but therin lies some of its faults.
Harri Hursti is the focal point of the documentary, travelling around the world to speak with experts that unanimously pontificate the vulnerabilities of digital voting that lacks a paper trail of accountability for audit. He is accomplished, knowledgable and believable as an expert in the field of cyberwarfare. Assertions are made that the exploitation is a possibility, but little discussion takes place around if they are being exploited - it is assumed that they are. That sets the bar rather low when all that is required is to cast doubt. This criticism, however, is not without merit and that is where Kill Chain becomes compelling in its message.
Numerous examples are provided of how the exploits can happen, and direct comments in defence of the American systems are addressed and effectively disproved with great ease. Election machines, for example, are demonstrated to be easily obtained and brought to a hackers convention that demonstrates some of the most disconcerting patterns of issues. It becomes a lost opportunity in light of the amassed circumstances that none of the official authorities or manufacturers would participate. Their silence, in this case, is deafening.
