The White House has announced the long-awaited appointment of the new Chief of Cybersecurity for America. The position, which was created in the wake of the many cyberattacks that have been occurring in the past several years, has been filled by former NSA official Harry Coker.
Coker was previously an executive at In-Q-Tel, a top defense-focused investment firm, and has spent the past two decades leading cyber efforts in the federal government. He also served as a top advisor to many of the most influential policy-makers in Washington D.C.
The news of Coker’s appointment was met with some trepidation from Republican legislators, who were concerned that he was too closely tied to the Obama administration. They were also worried that Coker’s tenure would mean a greater emphasis on national-level enforcement and regulations, as opposed to a focus on the private sector.
However, Coker is a widely respected figure in the cybersecurity world, and the White House has been clear in their commitment to supporting the private sector’s efforts to secure the nation’s networks. Coker also has a distinguished résumé from his long tenure in government, which includes a role as assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security’s National Protection and Programs Directorate.
In addition to his government experience, Coker has a passion for technology and has authored several books on the subject, including “Cyber Power: A Primer for the Trump Administration.” He is widely considered to be an expert on the subject and has been a speaker at many high-level cyber security events.
The White House is confident that Coker will bring to the role the experience needed to lead the nation’s efforts to secure its networks, while also maintaining a focus on public-private partnerships and other essential components of the nation’s cyber defense. He is considered to be the right man for the job, and has the full backing of President Trump. With Coker at the helm, the nation can look forward to a safe and secure cyber future.