Gwinnett Chamber members and business executives gathered at the 1818 Club for a cybersecurity briefing led by Nate Langmack of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The luncheon, presented by Porter Steel, attracted 150 business and community leaders to hear about current threats facing the technology industry and the broader business environment.
Langmack, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia, outlined the FBI’s role in protecting the United States against cybercrime. With an $11 billion budget, 37,000 employees, and more than 60 international offices, the FBI remains domestic in nature but global in scope.
Cybersecurity is one of the Bureau’s central missions. Langmack emphasized that the FBI operates with unique authorities, skill sets, capabilities, and partnerships that enable it to combat a wide range of digital threats. These include hacktivists, insider threats, espionage, terrorism, warfare, and criminal attacks. Rather than focusing on isolated individuals conducting low-level intrusions, the FBI prioritizes disrupting dark web forums and networks that facilitate organized cybercrime.
Langmack noted that cybercrime continues to evolve, but common tactics remain persistent. Password reuse, phishing, social engineering, cyber-enabled fraud, and malware are among the most frequent attack methods. With the rise of artificial intelligence, the FBI is seeing cybercriminals refine their techniques through deepfake videos and advanced social engineering campaigns, although large-scale AI-only attacks have not yet emerged.
The financial scope of the threat is significant. Over the past five years, fraud and ransomware schemes have resulted in more than $50 billion in reported losses, with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) receiving over 800,000 complaints annually. Older Americans, particularly those over age 60, represent a large portion of the victims.
Langmack stressed that every industry is a target. Georgia ranks in the top 10 states for reported cyberattacks, underscoring the importance of preparation for businesses of all sizes. He encouraged executives to initiate internal incident response and business continuity planning, preserve evidence in the event of a breach, and establish alternate communication methods beyond corporate email. Organizations should also evaluate notification requirements and prepare for extended operational disruptions.
Business leaders were urged to share information with their employees and families and to utilize the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov to report cyber incidents. Langmack emphasized that reporting supports the FBI’s mission to protect American businesses and communities.
The luncheon followed another business and community discussion earlier in the day at the Gas South Theater, where leaders including Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson, Northside Gwinnett COO Jay Dennard, Gwinnett County Board of Education Chair Dr. Adrienne Simmons, and Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development Senior Vice President Kevin Carmichael shared perspectives on the future of Gwinnett in light of its 2045 Unified Plan.
The next On Topic Luncheon will be held at the Westin Atlanta Gwinnett and will feature the State of the Schools with Interim Superintendent Dr. Al Taylor.
