The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) has named James Langevin, who served as a Democrat from Rhode Island, as chair of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI).
The FDD is a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan research institute dedicated to national security and foreign policy. Its CCTI works to strengthen U.S. prosperity and security through technological innovation while countering cyber and technological threats facing the government, private sector, and allied nations.
First elected to Congress in 2000, Langevin served for 22 years representing Rhode Island’s 2nd congressional district. He was a senior member of the House Committee on Armed Services, serving as chairman of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee and paving the way to harnessing more innovative technologies to solve our nation’s most complex challenges. He also served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and as a senior member on the House Committee on Homeland Security.
During his time in Congress, Langevin played an essential role in securing the infrastructure and resources needed to make cybersecurity a top policy priority. He served on the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission and is a distinguished advisor to CSC 2.0, an initiative housed at FDD to preserve and continue the commission’s work. He is also the distinguished chair of the Institute for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies at Rhode Island College.
“I have long respected FDD’s commitment to actionable policy recommendations, and while I was in Congress, my staff and I regularly turned to FDD for research,” explained Langevin. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work more closely with FDD’s cyber scholars. I have had the privilege of collaborating with CCTI’s outgoing chair, Dr. Samantha Ravich, on the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and am honored to continue and build upon her vision at CCTI.”
“Our nation owes Jim a debt of gratitude for his forward-thinking ideas and commitment to strengthening our nation’s cybersecurity,” noted CCTI Senior Director RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, “Many of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission’s recommendations were the direct result of Jim’s deep knowledge and innovative ideas.”
As national leader on cybersecurity, Langevin founded the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, authored the National Cyber Director Act, creating a Senate-confirmed National Cyber Director at the White House, and helped create the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at the Department of Homeland Security.
“For more than two decades, Jim has been bringing attention to the most complex, emerging threats facing U.S. national security,” said FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer, “His vision, leadership, and dedication to solving hard problems echo FDD’s own commitment to pairing thoughtful research and analysis with concrete policy ideas.”
