Dr Jessica Barker is an award-winning global leader in the human side of cyber security. She has been named one of the top 20 most influential women in cyber security in the UK and served as the Chair of ClubCISO for two years. She is the best-selling author of Confident Cyber Security (Kogan Page) and co-author of Cybersecurity ABCs: delivering awareness, behaviours and culture change (BCS).
Jessica is a popular keynote speaker, including keynoting RSA San Francisco in 2020. She delivers thought-provoking and engaging presentations across the world, at corporate events as well as practitioner and academic conferences. Known for her ability to engage everyone from senior executives to ethical hackers and creative workers, she brings energy, enthusiasm and fun to cyber security. Her speaking engagements are rooted in the work she does around the psychology and sociology of cyber security, particularly regarding cyber security threats, social engineering, cyber security communications, and the psychology of fear and cyber security. She is known for her expertise in cyber security awareness, behaviour and culture.
Equipped with years of experience running her own consultancy, she co-founded Cygenta and has delivered face-to-face cyber security awareness sessions to over 40,000 people in over 23 countries. Her consultancy experience, technical knowledge and sociology background give her unique insight. She is known for her clear communication style and for making cyber security accessible to all.
Jessica’s many appearances discussing cyber security on national and international TV and Radio have cemented her place as the media’s go-to expert on subjects that require graceful, clear and engaging communication of technical subjects. She frequently appears on the BBC, Sky News, Channel 4 News, Channel 5 News, Radio 4’s Today programme, Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine show and more. She has been featured in the Sunday Times, the Financial Times, Grazia, New Statesman and the Guardian, and frequently in industry press.
Jessica and her husband FC were Guest Curators of the 2018 Cheltenham Science Festival and are keen advocates of cyber security outreach, for example supporting TeenTech and the Cyber Security Challenge.