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

As an African-American Air Force veteran,breaking into the cybersecurity field,this interview means the world to me.

The biggest myth is the millions of cybersecurity jobs available

Education is an issue, but the roadmap to actually starting a career in cybersecurity is hazy

Cybersecurity student at Cal State Long Beach, done this year! 🎉

I’ve been applying for jobs forever and everybody’s declining. Where are these 500,000 jobs that they’re talking about?

*Cyber Security is now a field that is extremely difficult to define in less than 25 words.*

Currently getting my Masters in Cybersecurity and these last couple of months have been detrimental to my development and perspective on the field. The January Select Committee hearing was a great watch and definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about the new digital age we live in and how this can pose a serious threat to our way of life. Director Coker's words could not have come at a better time and it is important for every American to feel like they are a part of this fight because we truly all are. I know I am a Patriot by heart and I will do what I must to protect this country and my fellow brother and sisters.

I wish it were as easy as that. I am currently finishing up my master's in Cyber security and working in the field but with little recognition. I feel like an IT help desk person. Jobs don't want to invest in people

I love this! I am working on Security + certification. I currently work in GRC.

Don't get your hopes up fellas. I'm a navy veteran and graduate of a cybersecurity bachelor program. Certified Security+ and AWS CCP. No one in security will hire me. I work in a data center for a bug tech company and have tried to transfer over to the security team and they will not take me cuz of "lack of experience." Neither the government nor the private sector are opening entry-level positions in cyber. And in the odd chance there is such an opening, they are flooded with applicants. I'm convinced that all this talk about opportunities in cyber is just part of a large scale psyop to convince people to get into the field to create a pool of potential candidates. But the market is oversaturated with actual talent due to layoffs and now there doesn't seem to be much hope for people getting started in the field.

I really enjoyed this and thank you for sharing light on Harry Coker and opportunities in the field

Fantastic interview! Thank you so much for this.

I would work for this man. Im interested in seeing what the future holds for our country and this field.

Why aren’t they being compensated monetarily, properly? Pay these people before somebody brings it all down. Definitely not something I would want to hear if I wanted to get into the field.

Incredible interview, very important questions being asked

Thank you, brothers!

fascinating - I learned a lot. thank you! and thank you for your service to our country.

Good listen

Thanks for this. Learnt something new

This is great content! Extremely valuable info contextualized in a relatable way.

This conversation came at a good time for me personally because just a couple of weeks ago I had nearly given up on cyber because of how difficult it seems to get a position. 350 applications in and no resoponses and it gets tuff to see any light at the end of the tunnel

Perfect interview! @Forbes, you're VERY SMART to host this interview on your channel. Great job 👍🏾

That 16 minute time marker! That right there really motivates me to look into Cyber Security with a new light.

Loved the video. he is a very inspiring man, and yes quite the hero.

Thank you

Great interview!

The crux of it is that without a degree and experience, you won't get a job. You can get certs and create a portfolio up to a point, but it looks sketchy with higher level certs and no experience. So you're at a point, especially if you have a family to feed, that you continue working jobs with no relevance while waiting for that 1 in 500 chance you'll get an interview. There's a reason China has 50 cyber experts to our 1. It's a price we're all going to have to pay sooner or later.

All this cyber talk bubbling over soon. People been misled and discouraged for years now and influencers from a prefious era still pushing it. If you aint got a clearance or friends with huring manager odds of somebody giving you first job drastically decreased. None of the advice online applies past like 2017

Excellent work!

I enjoyed this interview. I started studying Cybersecurity in July 2023.

Much respect to the Director! I learned things! I looked up 'Volt Typhoon' and went to a Wiki page where I was left rather astonished. Apparently, the PLA has basically, an army sized element of 50- 100,000 personal devoted to cyber warfare. I realized, that's just China! So, when the director acknowledged there are currently upwards of 500,000 positions needed, I can see why.

This is powerful and informative! I do have hope that we will continue to provide education to our future Engineers.

Very insightful

Great interview

The problem in this field is one! Employers want finished products, experienced professionals. No one is willing to take a chance on beginners, blend with experienced ones and bridge the gap. This leaves a few elite, experienced ones to scramble for. Unless beginners get absorbed and be trained and learn by doing at work, the trend is here to stay. The field is gonna be saturated with certified fellows who can afford ridiculously expensive certifications with no skills and know-how!

Awesome interview

Really amazing to see two successful black people discussing this and bringing more attention to the field. Representation is so important

VERY INTERESTING DISCUSSION!😀

GOOD INFO!

African American, Army soldier, looking to get in this field ASAP. 5 more classes till my bachelor's in Cyber Security/Network

This is a wonderful interview. It’s such great insight compared to the influencers that sell cybersecurity as an easy certificate and chase only money. There’s so many people that can be helped through this field, and help teach people with each developing threat.

Do you have to have the security + certification to qualify for one of these cybersecurity federal positions?

Just do gardening as a career instead, plenty of work even during the covid pandemic, less pressure work environment, healthy, physical, outdoors, with enough experience you can get your own clients and run a solo business, chill workmates and the grass never stops growing so it’s a good industry to get into, there’s always lawns that need mowing and weeds to pull out. It’s an industry that doesn’t attract toxic people generally, narcissists etc, and you can do your computer cybersecurity stuff on the side as a side hussle or hobby instead which is what I’d rather do.

Commenting to remindyself to watch

18:52 interviewer mentions his phone logged him out two times and missed two trains - lol I don’t want to speculate but Carlson Tucker also had the NSA attempt to discourage his travel to interview Putin

Wow thanks forbes

I'm a veteran with a bachelor's degree in science. I completed the Google professional certificate for Cybersecurity Analyst and I'm about to take the security+ exam. Entry-level jobs requires a minimum of 1 to 3 years of real-world experience. I don't qualify for internships because I am not an undergraduate. I've never seen an apprenticeship job offer. All recommendations point to networking. It comes down to who you know. You need someone to have sympathy on you and offer you a way in. This formula perpetuates discrimination and promotes vapid self promotion rather than individuals with problem solving skills. Given that America claims to be lacking people to fill over a half a million cyber security positions, I'm puzzled as to how the industry intends to overcome the shortfall without establishing a viable apprenticeship program that is nondiscreminitory?!

These people in our US cybersecurity team need to be praised. Our lives would be horrible without them.

Where do we get started?

How are there 500,000 jobs available but people on Reddit complaining they can’t get a help desk job. There’s such a huge disconnect,

Working on my associates. Will be done in December

I’m in community college right now for cybersecurity. Super exiting.

I really liked how he answered the questions and he seems like he’s providing good leadership. But I know I share a lot of the frustrations of some others when I say that they seem to be gatekeeping these hundreds of thousands of jobs that are supposed to be available. I’ve applied to dozens in Government without even an interview.

As a black man, this interview is inspiring for a number of reasons. Great conversation and information!

He is not even answering the questions 😂😂😂. Like the dude asks A, and he just answers B.

Unless you are former military with an active security clearance, it's real hard to break into Cybersecurity.

Love this! Great inspiration and awareness for everyone. As an IT professional I would love to contribute to the cause… Any information on how to apply?

there is no way to get in, its so hard!

i always wanted to work and protect not a country but all countrys and worldwide.......

Not a big fan of him saying you don't need a STEM background. I know way too many "cyber security professionals" that just do not understand the technology and make horrible decisions and sometimes even increase the risk to our systems just because they don't understand what the tech is or how it works.

Interesting narrative

I'm so down for this. Get at me. Getting certified as we speak status

Great interview today how would you advise me to start a career in this field

CyberSecurity a very broad field

I have an MBA (recently earned) and I hope to get my Security + certification in June of this year. I am also an Air Force Veteran. I hope to make a complete pivot from the healthcare field to the information technology in the gov tech or DoD space. Hopefully, the MBA has some weight. I hope to earn a PhD in Cybersecurity Analytics but I am also optimistically hopeful in entering a cybersecurity niche in the DoD/Intelligence space.

I'm not an African American but I am a felon with no high school diploma or ged but I'm in UNLV cyber security boot camp as we speak! I'm Already a very advanced individual when it comes to cyber security I'm excited to become someone very well known in the near future

Piece of advice: don't take a shot every time he says "cybersecurity".

Interested in switching my career to cyber how do I receive training to break in?

@Forbes Cybersecurity is one word.

Can't get no way. Starting from brain damaged HR's that are impossible to get around.

Let's chat: Where are these jobs? Who's hiring newbies/entry-level? Companies want you to have 5+ years in Cyber and want you to know 10+ requirements. People tell you to get this Cert, get that Certs, O' yeah get this other Certs, get personal experience at home, but again, companies STILL want you to have experience. You can get the cert but it's hard to not only pass the interview, it's hard to even get the interview without job experience. You actually have to know someone to get these jobs and for African-Americans, it's not easy. Again, Let's chat about it.

500,000 employed domestically employed people, will create no less than another 100,000 service employees

good people and good things will allways win but with loses, thats life......

God bless the naval academy and its kids. my son is a 4 yr army rotc scholarship winner cybersecurity major. more Patriots please

you DO need to be a technologist to be competent to Cyber Security. You don't have to be that to 'get into', but if you want to be at the top of the hierarchy, then you need to have the temperament , and aptitude for I.T. Not just seeking high-pay , in a cushy job arena.

No one is getting developed into a security role. People think they’re gonna transition into security without already being in a developer role is not impossible, but it’s crazy rare

Anyone getting there certificate through google? If so what are the pros and cons of that course program?

I love the setting, how the men are dressed like men wearing suits, talking professionally, and for pointing out that it is not the child's responsibility to be safe online, but the parent's responsibility.

I had and finished a private tech school education in 2020 and because of you know what my internship opportunities were canceled. I kept educating myself ever since 2020 and i still feel a bit lost on how to get a job. I just dont want to educate myself but each one teach one

There’s a mad gathering of negative comments under this vid! To who reads this; if this what you’re interested in, don’t stop learning!! Too many ways to go in this field to just stop learning on one specific subject then complain about not getting interviews. Some of you are haters.

Need a security clearance so get into the military if you can

This video offers nothing. Luck will get u a cyber job.

Analisi del Discorso Nel video, l'US National Cyber Director Harry Ker parla a un evento a Washington DC sull'importanza della cybersecurity e della protezione dell'infrastruttura critica. Egli evidenzia le sfide e le opportunità nel campo della cybersecurity, sottolineando la necessità di coinvolgere il settore privato, il governo e le comunità sottorappresentate nella difesa cibernetica. Inoltre, sottolinea l'importanza di sensibilizzare il pubblico sull'attuale rischio per l'infrastruttura critica. Qualità e Difetti del Discorso Qualità 1. Chiarezza nel Messaggio Ker trasmette in modo chiaro e diretto l'importanza della cybersecurity e della protezione dell'infrastruttura critica. 2. Coinvolgimento del Pubblico Si impegna attivamente a coinvolgere il pubblico, evidenziando le minacce alla sicurezza cibernetica e l'importanza del coinvolgimento delle comunità sottorappresentate nel settore. 3. Apertura e Trasparenza Dimostra apertura nel riconoscere le sfide e l'urgenza di affrontarle, enfatizzando l'importanza della trasparenza e dell'accountability nella difesa cibernetica. 4. Approccio Accessibile Utilizza un linguaggio accessibile e esempi concreti per spiegare concetti complessi legati alla cybersecurity, rendendo il discorso comprensibile per un pubblico più ampio. Difetti 1. Poca Profondità Tecnica Mentre il discorso è accessibile, manca di una discussione più approfondita su alcune delle sfide tecniche specifiche nel campo della cybersecurity. 2. Mancanza di Specificità Non fornisce dettagli specifici su piani d'azione concreti o soluzioni proposte per affrontare le sfide nel campo della cybersecurity. 3. Limitata Diversità di Esempi Potrebbe arricchire il discorso includendo una più ampia varietà di esempi e casi di studio relativi alle minacce cibernetiche e alle iniziative di difesa in diversi contesti. Articolo sull'Analisi del Discorso di Harry Ker L'Importanza della Cybersecurity e la Protezione dell'Infrastruttura Critica Nel video dell'evento a Washington DC, l'US National Cyber Director Harry Ker esprime in modo chiaro e coinvolgente l'importanza della cybersecurity e della protezione dell'infrastruttura critica. Ker sottolinea l'urgente necessità di coinvolgere il settore privato, il governo e le comunità sottorappresentate nella difesa cibernetica. Durante il suo intervento, ha evidenziato qualità significative e alcune aree di miglioramento. Qualità Evidenziate Chiarezza nel Messaggio e Coinvolgimento del Pubblico Ker ha trasmesso il suo messaggio in modo chiaro e diretto, evidenziando le minacce attuali alla sicurezza cibernetica e l'importanza di coinvolgere le comunità sottorappresentate nel settore. Il suo coinvolgimento attivo del pubblico, attraverso esempi concreti e un linguaggio accessibile, ha reso il discorso comprensibile per un pubblico più ampio. Apertura, Trasparenza e Approccio Accessibile Il National Cyber Director ha dimostrato apertura nel riconoscere le sfide e l'urgenza di affrontarle, enfatizzando l'importanza della trasparenza e dell'accountability nella difesa cibernetica. Il suo approccio accessibile ha reso la discussione su concetti complessi della cybersecurity più accessibile al pubblico. Possibili Miglioramenti Approfondimento Tecnico e Specificità Nonostante la chiarezza nel suo discorso, Ker avrebbe potuto arricchire ulteriormente la discussione includendo una maggiore profondità tecnica e dettagli specifici su piani d'azione concreti o soluzioni proposte per affrontare le sfide nel campo della cybersecurity. Diversità di Esempi e Casi di Studio Un'ulteriore area di miglioramento potrebbe includere una più ampia varietà di esempi e casi di studio relativi alle minacce cibernetiche e alle iniziative di difesa in diversi contesti, per offrire una prospettiva più completa e diversificata. Conclusioni In conclusione, il discorso di Harry Ker ha catturato l'attenzione sull'importanza della cybersecurity e della protezione dell'infrastruttura critica, ma esistono aree di miglioramento che potrebbero arricchire ulteriormente la discussione. L'apertura, il coinvolgimento del pubblico e la chiarezza del messaggio sono pregi significativi, e un focus più approfondito su soluzioni specifiche e una maggiore diversità di esempi potrebbero migliorare ulteriormente la completezza e la ricchezza del suo discorso.

Good interview but did not tell us where to get this knowledge

we are basically in a tech race but what seems different now is that there seems to be a definite finish line of sorts - things are going to change at some point in the future and it won't be 50 years in the future but more likely a decade or two - this was a good wide ranging interview - optimistic but also urgency was conveyed (for good reasons) #epochs #books #c suite anxiety

Please talk about the government mandate to implement zero trust security by 2025. Learn this product

i would love to meet this national cyber security directo.....i could help them ....even remotely.....

"500k open cyber jobs"........according to the BLS its only 13k. " you dont need a degree to get into it".....many with even masters in comp science are having trouble finding jobs. All sounds good for click bait videos though.

@12:17. I care. I care a LOT!! And yet, I can’t get a foothold in the area because I cannot satisfy EVERY CHECKMARK that y’all let HR put in the way!!

Ok lets make a few more points..1) cyber sec is NOT an entry level position..2) try to have a fairly good understanding of how data flows, know and apply osi model ny heart and be fairly versed in cloud, network, desktop, servers, VMs etc...a cert and education wont get you through..not even to a basic soc role..do projects on the side and showcase proof of work and understanding.. 6 years into It and im just startinf the journey on my cissp..

This sounds like a job interview

Please do not be fooled. This is not exclaiming that jobs will be available or that the public will be educated on the matter. This is explaining that there will be more enforcement and there will be policies made to requirements placed on far more social media companies, entertainment companies, tech companies etc.

Where can I find the jobs and get on the paid learning path?

I got dibs on being the third National Cyber Director. #fortheculture

Looking for them jobs right neow.

Yeah ok what are these jobs that don't require a degree? Military? 20 years of experience?

what is this Vol Typhoon they speak of ?

You don’t need a STEM degree or to be a math expert, but you absolutely need to be technical. I work in the field and the market is flooded with non technical people wasting everyone’s time reading off checklists of things they don’t understand slowing down the technical people trying to fix the problems. I suggest that anyone going into cybersecurity goes deep into studying IT or programming or some sort of engineering discipline of whatever it is you want to protect as part of your journey.

solution; stop or pause or use emergency back up to help and continue things going , revise all code with your cyber security team but properly done with will take time but with a cyber security team working hard with good pressure you guys can protect better your systems.....

Good interview by the way💪 zero day exploits might exist ~ which gives us leverage to win the cyber war if it ever occurs - chinas politicians also recently got rid of their iPhones not sure why. However, citizens experiencing things like this give me a good direction to view. Taiwan is probably already in our pocket. We just don’t know how it’ll go down but we have all the back doors already. So idk just don’t get too comfortable