Langevin Promotes Stronger Cybersecurity

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus and senior member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, called for comprehensive cybersecurity legislation today, as President Barack Obama underscores the need for more robust cyber defenses.

“Meaningful action to secure our nation’s infrastructure in cyberspace is long overdue. We have seen first-hand the well-publicized hacks on companies like Sony Pictures Entertainment, Target and Home Depot, but these breaches barely scratch the surface. Both private business and public interests are integrally linked to cyberspace and face near constant threats,” Langevin said. “Theft of personal information and intellectual property has already resulted in hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses, as well as lost consumer confidence. Still, we have not yet faced the worst-case scenario. What happens – not if, but when – the worst cyber weapons find their way into the hands of the worst cyber actors? The effects could be catastrophic, and we must take aggressive action now if we are to prevent this ‘worst-case’ from becoming reality. Similarly, we owe it to the American people to act without delay to turn the tide against the insidious loss of American economic competitiveness and jobs due to cybercrime and cyberespionage.”

In advance of his January 20th State of the Union address, President Obama has begun laying out some of the proposals he plans to tackle in the year ahead, including efforts to improve America’s cybersecurity. This plan builds upon Obama’s 2011 Cybersecurity Legislative Proposal, which was based, in part, on recommendations made by the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency, which Langevin co-chaired. In particular, the President’s proposal includes voluntary information sharing between the private sector and the government, as well as the Personal Data Notification and Protection Act, which would strengthen the obligations companies have to notify customers of data breaches – initiatives that Langevin strongly supports.

“Information sharing would allow the federal government to share what it knows about threats in cyberspace with the private sector, and vice versa. If either entity is made aware of threat signatures, they can better protect themselves against a similar attack,” Langevin continued. “Likewise, when consumers’ personal information gets stolen, it’s a direct threat to their economic security, and they deserve to be informed as rapidly as possible in order to better protect themselves. Cybersecurity is a complex challenge that can only be managed with better communication and greater collaboration.”

Langevin also praised the President’s upcoming travel to Norfolk, Va., to announce new funding that will be used to help train the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

“One of the greatest challenges we face in cyberspace is the lack of a skilled workforce,” Langevin said. “As co-chair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I have long said that our schools must work closely with the business community to understand the demands of a changing market. Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field and we must invest in recruitment and training programs to ensure we have a qualified and talented workforce to tackle this ever-changing cyber landscape.

“I commend President Obama for making cybersecurity a priority, and I hope these efforts will serve as a tipping point for Congress to take further action,” Langevin said. “I look forward to working with the President and my colleagues in Congress on this issue, and I will continue to fight to raise the bar on cybersecurity in America.”