Myths About Getting Into Cyber Security Debunked By The National Cyber Director

Harry Coker, Jr. was confirmed by the Senate on December 12, 2023 as the second National Cyber Director in the Office of the National Cyber Director, the White House. Director Coker is a retired Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) senior executive and career Naval Officer, is a graduate of the US Naval Academy, the Naval Postgraduate School, and Georgetown University Law Center.

Coker completed a joint duty assignment as the Executive Director of the National Security Agency (NSA). As the third in command of the largest component of the US Intelligence Community, he directly supported NSA’s Director and Deputy Director in the strategic and day-to-day leadership of the Agency. Coker’s service to the Nation and NSA was recognized with the awarding of the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the NSA Director’s Distinguished Service Medal, and the IC EEOD Outstanding Leadership Award.

During the first seventeen years of his service with the CIA, Coker was assigned to leadership positions in the Directorate of Digital Innovation; the Directorate of Science & Technology; and the Director’s Area. Key assignments included service as Director of the Open Source Enterprise, which is responsible for leveraging publicly available information; and as Deputy Director of CIA’s Office of Public Affairs, which is responsible for the Agency’s internal and external communications and media relations. Coker was also a member of the small, hand-selected team of senior officers that architected the Agency’s organizational construct and operating model. He also had a key role in formulating and executing the Diversity in Leadership Study; and served on the Executive Diversity & Inclusion Council. Coker’s leadership and contributions earned him the Presidential Rank Award and CIA’s prestigious Don Cryer Award for Diversity & Inclusion.

National Cyber Director, Harry Coker, sat down with Forbes Senior Writer Jabari Young to discuss the challenges the US faces with regards to cyber security threats and the myths that stop people from seeking jobs in the field.

0:00 Introduction
0:31 What's New About The ITI Conference And Its Purpose
1:55 Coker Gives Credit To Congress
3:53 America's Infrastructure: What Do We Need To Know?
6:11 How Could Improved Infrastructure Help Populated Areas Like New York & New Jersey?
7:43 Child Protections Online: What Should Government Regulations Be?
10:16 Harry Coker's Background
15:06 The Impact Of Diversity In Job Hiring
17:29 Coker's Stance On Job Equity And Fulfilling The Role Of National Cyber Director
18:49 Technology And Voting
21:03 Cybersecurity And National Security: Both Are Vital
23:07 A Good Partnership vs. A Great One

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