Five Questions With: U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin

Congressman James R. Langevin has represented Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District since 2001. Langevin, a Democrat, was interviewed earlier this month on “60 Minutes” as part of a segment on security vulnerabilities in cyberspace. (You can watch the report below.) He talked with Providence Business News about why he thinks the issue needs to receive more attention and how the White House can help.

PBN: In your “60 Minutes” interview, you described this as “a pre-9/11 moment” for the nation in terms of cybersecurity. What did you mean by that?

LANGEVIN: The issue of cybersecurity and the challenges posed daily to our cybernetworks is an afterthought for too many in the public and private sectors. This lack of action is discouraging, because we know the threats are real and persistent. Much like in the months leading up to Sept. 11, 2001, we know the threat exists and have an opportunity to address it before real damage occurs. Now is the time to secure our networks.

PBN: Who do you see most at risk from cyberthreats? The government? Large financial institutions like banks? Individuals? Or is it a broad risk spread across society?

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LANGEVIN: The answer is all of the above. This question assumes we can isolate risks. We can’t. So many of the systems and networks that we use daily rely on the Internet, which is a wonderful tool for commerce, education and communication, but wasn’t designed with security in mind – it was designed to be an open system. While the Internet is a good thing, it can also be a threat and we need to figure out ways to mitigate the vulnerabilities it can create.

PBN: Something that surprised me in the “60 Minutes” report was the fact that serious cyberattacks have already happened in the United States, yet they have received relatively little attention from the general public. Why do you think that is?

LANGEVIN: There are a couple reasons why these attacks have gotten little attention. First, especially in the private sector, it isn’t good business to let consumers or investigators know there is weakness in their systems. Second, many of these attacks are abstract to people. A Department of Defense network hack does not directly affect what is happening on Main Street or in a person’s daily life, and the theft of digital files just doesn’t grab attention the way an intruder carting off boxes of sensitive information would. And sadly, because of that – or perhaps I should say in spite of that – these incidences only get a passing mention in the media.

As part of my work on this issue and as the co-chair of the House Cybersecurity Caucus, I think it is important to appear on shows like “60 Minutes” and in columns like this to raise awareness. The more people understand our vulnerabilities, the more I hope they demand action.

PBN: In general terms, what do you see as the answer here? Do we need to reduce our reliance on technology because it’s not safe enough? Do we need to spend more on security, or implement new laws and policies? What do you think?

LANGEVIN: We must continue to invest in technology – our economy and our competitiveness depend on it. However, we must also respond vigorously to threats against our cyberinfrastructure across the private and public sectors. I believe that cybersecurity is among the most serious economic and national security challenges we will face in the 21st century.

In April, President Barack Obama designated our cyberinfrastructure as a “strategic national asset” and a top national security priority. Two things need to happen to move this issue in the right direction: the president must appoint a cybercoordinator to help guide efforts across the government, and Congress must work to pass legislation to better secure our systems, including our electrical grid.

PBN: Many members of Congress have a few subjects they specialize in. What led you to focus on cybersecurity? How did you first get involved with it?

LANGEVIN: One of my top interests in Congress has always been national security. In recent years, cybersecurity is a topic I have encountered with increasing frequency as a member of the House Armed Services and Intelligence Committees and a former member of the Homeland Security Committee, where I chaired the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cyber Security and Science and Technology.

The more I learned and the more hearings I held, the more I realized that cybersecurity is the lynch pin holding everything together. If that pin were to break, the nation could be in real trouble. This issue is too important to ignore, and I will continue to raise awareness. •


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