Ripon Forum


Vol. 45, No. 3

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In this Edition

September 11, 2001 was a day without adjective. Even a decade later, it is hard to properly describe the grief, anger, horror and pain we all felt watching the attacks unfold. 

Intell’s Top Cop – Q&A with Mike Rogers

With the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2011, terrorist attacks upon us, the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee discusses the effort he is leading to keep America secure.

Preventing a Cyber 9/11

The Maine Senator and Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Susan Collins, discusses her plan to protect America’s cyber networks from attack.

Intelligence Comeback: Fact or Fiction?

The former Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Pete Hoekstra, looks at the improvements that have been made in the intelligence community over the past decade.

Is it Time to Consider a New Approach to Airline Security?

Are Americans getting their money’s worth on airline security? This aviation security expert says they are, but that it’s also time to move beyond pat downs and body scans.

Leaving Afghanistan

As the U.S. enters the tenth year of the war in Afghanistan, the Tennessee Congressman John Duncan writes it’s not just time to end the conflict, but it’s something Eisenhower would do.

Expeditionary Economics and Countering Violent Extremism

Foreign assistance will not defeat terrorists. But it would be a terrible mistake to discount the vital role that economic growth must play in fostering global stability.

How 9/11 Shaped the Millennial Generation …and the Lessons for Republicans Today

The author and Fox News commentator discusses 9/11’s impact on young Americans and how it has shaped not only their lives, but their view of American politics today.

Amid the Battle Over Spending, The Fight Over Health Care Continues

“At a time when businesses large and small are struggling to survive in a weakened economy, this added burden is completely misguided and unacceptable.”

In the Wake of Fukushima

“In the wake of the nuclear incident at Fukushima, Japan, the world held its breath wondering if the facilities would be capable of recovering from one of the most significant natural disasters in recorded history,”

Minority Rules: A snapshot on redistricting heading into next year

“For decades past, targeted and passionate activity at all levels has improved the political empowerment of the African-American community. The 2010 census indicates that similar activities may now be needed for other emerging minority communities.”

Ripon Profile of Nan Hayworth

Up close and personal with NY Rep. Nan Hayworth in our latest Ripon Profile.

Preventing a Cyber 9/11

The Next Great Challenge We Face
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Ever since September 11, 2001, Americans have worried and wondered about the next terrorist attack. The questions of “when” – the Super Bowl or during an ordinary morning commute? – and “who” – a squad of trained terrorists or lone wolf? – are the cause of much speculation and theorizing.

As a leader of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, I am committed to taking action on every possible answer to those important questions. In addition, another question the Committee constantly probes is “what” – a dirty bomb, hunting rifle, or anything in between. By exploring this question from every conceivable angle, we strive to close the gap between threats and our preparedness.

Perhaps the biggest gap exists in what may well be the battlefield of the 21st Century – cyberspace. In fact, our military officials now describe cyberspace as the fifth domain of war, in addition to land, sea, air and space. But cyberspace is unique, they note, because it is the only battlefield invented by humans.

And the battle is arguably already underway. Recent attacks range from intrusions into Sony’s on-line gaming network to the largest U.S. military contractor. Hackers based in China reportedly gained access to hundreds of Gmail accounts, including some belonging to senior U.S. government officials and military personnel.

The annual cost of cybercrime worldwide has climbed to more than $1 trillion — billions of dollars annually in the United States. At his Senate confirmation hearing in June, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned that the “next Pearl Harbor we confront could very well be a cyberattack that cripples our power systems, our grid, our security systems, our financial systems, our governmental systems.”

Clearly, the Internet must be made more secure, but in a manner that promotes continued innovation and does not infringe on our constitutional rights to receive information and express views.

Clearly, the Internet must be made more secure, but in a manner that promotes continued innovation and does not infringe on our constitutional rights to receive information and express views.

President Mubarak’s actions in January to shut down the Internet in Egypt and the current cyber-censorship imposed by President Assad in Syria were, and are, attacks on fundamental human rights. Freedom of speech must be protected, and their bans are clearly designed to limit criticism of or action against oppressive governments.

Last year, Senators Joe Lieberman, Tom Carper, and I introduced legislation to strengthen the government’s efforts to safeguard U.S. cyber-networks from attack and prevent presidential overreach. That bill was unanimously approved by the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

In June, we introduced a new version with stronger, more explicit provisions that would prevent the President from ever shutting down the Internet.

Most important our bill would make America’s critical assets safer. Our bill would:

  • Establish a cybersecurity leader within the Department of Homeland Security who would have the authority to coordinate policy and to mandate protective measures across all federal civilian agencies. This leader would head a new National Cybersecurity Center — much like the National Counterterrorism Center — that would bring together expertise from across the federal government.
  • Promote information-sharing on cyber vulnerabilities and protective measures, distributing data to federal, state, local and tribal governments and private-sector stakeholders.
  • Create incentives for the private sector to develop cybersecurity “best practices”.
  • Provide specific authority to the National Cybersecurity Center —a risk-based, collaborative model — to identify and mitigate cyber vulnerabilities, where disruptions could result in catastrophic loss of life and property.
  • Prevent the President or any official from shutting down the Internet.

This legislation would help our nation be better equipped to anticipate, neutralize and build additional safeguards against cyberattacks. It would protect the ever-evolving frontier of cyberspace, which encompasses so much of modern life and will only grow in importance.

We cannot afford to wait for a “cyber September 11th” before our government finally realizes the importance of protecting our digital resources, limiting our vulnerabilities, and mitigating the consequences of penetrations of our networks.

If we do not build adequate protections into our federal networks and critical infrastructure, malicious hackers — including nation-states and terrorist groups — are likely to exploit, attack and destroy them. America must be prepared to meet this emerging global cyber threat.

We cannot afford to wait for a “cyber September 11th” before our government finally realizes the importance of protecting our digital resources, limiting our vulnerabilities, and mitigating the consequences of penetrations of our networks.

We must be ready. It is crucial that we build a strong public-private partnership to protect cyberspace. It is a vital engine of our economy, our government, our country and our future.   RF

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Susan Collins represents the State of Maine in the U.S. Senate. She serves as Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.