Lawmaker ‘disappointed’ by DHS cybersecurity progress

The infiltration by foreign nationals of federal computer networks is "one of the most critical issues confronting our nation," the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee's cyber-security panel said at a Thursday hearing.

James Langevin, D-R.I., said in prepared remarks that if sensitive information is stolen and used by enemies, the United States is "strategically harmed." He said he was especially "disappointed and troubled" by the Homeland Security Department's progress in securing cyberspace.

The agency's cyber-security chief, Jerry Dixon, testified alongside experts from the Government Accountability Office and Commerce and State departments.

"We don't know the scope of our networks," Langevin said. "We don't know who's inside our networks. We don't know what information has been stolen."

Dixon said in his written testimony that coordinating better cyber-security practices across government is one of the "highest priorities" to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.