Dr Jessica Barker: Tackling a Cyber Security Crisis

In episode 6 of White Swan: The Crisis Podcast, we speak to Dr Jessica Barker, co-founder and co-CEO of cyber security agency Cygenta. Jessica is a respected leader on the human side of cyber security, and a go-to expert on the growing threat that every business faces from cyber-attacks.

Jessica has been named one of the top 20 most influential women in cyber security in the UK and awarded as one of the UK’s Tech Women 50 in 2017. She is the Chair of ClubCISO.

Gavin and Jessica have a fascinating conversation about the importance of understanding human behaviour when you’re faced with a technological crisis. Behind every cyber security issue is a system that was built by a human: but blaming the end user is entirely the wrong thing to do. Training, and systems that don’t understand how humans behave and react are crucial.

Why do cyber attacks happen? How can you learn about the threats you might face? How should you assemble a team ahead of any potential disruption to deal with them? And why might it actually be better to leave a cyber security crisis running than trying to stop it immediately?