Cybersecurity and the missing sense of urgency

Daily cybersecurity intrusions are threatening America’s ability to remain the world leader in innovation, yet few are paying attention, according to co-chairman of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus Rep. James Langevin (D – RI).

“Large amounts of data are being siphoned off – stolen – on a daily basis,” said Rep Langevin, during a panel discussion at the Brookings Institution. “If someone was hauling off filing cabinets of information, that would be tantamount to an act of war. But because it’s happening in the digital realm, there isn’t that sense of urgency. “ But the threat of a major cyber-attack is real, as evidenced by a series of attacks on Estonian banking Web sites in 2007. The threat of a similar attack in the United States, according to Rep Langevin, requires a new cybersecurity approach that balances tax breaks and insurance incentives with government regulations. “Cybersecurity is a moving target. It’s an evolving threat,” said Rep Langevin. “We are never going to be able to get to the point where we are 100 percent successful. What we need to do, basically, is to close the window of vulnerability.”