The White House’s Outgoing Cyber Czar Calls for More Funding, Deregulation and Changing Hiring Practices to Meet Growing Cyber Threats
The White House’s outgoing cyber czar, Harry Coker, has called for three key things to meet the growing threat of digital attacks from adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia. Speaking at an event with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, D.C., Coker said that the US needs more funding, deregulation, and a change in hiring practices to combat the growing cyber threat.
Coker emphasized that “we have to prioritize cybersecurity within federal budgets” and that he understands the US is in a “tough budget situation.” He added that he would love for the incoming administration or any administration to recognize the priority of cybersecurity.
Coker also criticized “duplicative federal regulation” and said that he has heard from those working to protect the nation’s online infrastructure that they spend “a staggering 30 to 50%” of their time working to comply with regulation, rather than ensuring protection from hacks. He called for bipartisan legislation to streamline regulation and has laid the groundwork for the next administration in Congress to advance regulatory harmonization.
The recent attacks on the US infrastructure, including China’s hacking of nine US telecommunications giants, have highlighted the need for urgent action. The US is grappling with the fallout of China’s biggest attack on American infrastructure, dubbed Salt Typhoon, which saw Chinese intelligence gain access to the private text messages and phone calls of Americans, including senior government officials and prominent political figures.
The cyber industry is also facing a recruitment issue, with nearly 500,000 open jobs, said Coker. To address this, he suggested changing federal hiring practices to focus on skills rather than college degrees, which would allow for a broader talent pool.
By removing the four-year college degree requirement, the government can expand its talent pool and attract individuals who may not have the time or means to pursue a four-year degree. Coker believes that this change would help to combat the rising cyber threat and ensure the nation’s online infrastructure is better protected.
