Dr Jessica Barker
Co-Founder, Co-CEO, Cygenta
Dr Jessica Barker is a leader in the human nature of cybersecurity, has been named one of the top 20 most influential women in cybersecurity in the UK and awarded as one of the UK’s Tech Women 50 in 2017. She is the Chair of ClubCISO.
Equipped with years of experience running her own consultancy, she co-founded Cygenta, where she follows her passion of positively influencing cybersecurity awareness, behaviours and culture in organisations around the world.
Her consultancy experience, technical knowledge and background in sociology and civic design give her unique insight. She is known for her clear communication style and for making cyber security accessible to all.
Jessica 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 cybersecurity, particularly regarding cybersecurity threats, social engineering, how to effectively communicate cybersecurity messages, the psychology of fear and cybersecurity, and the language of cybersecurity. Her specialisms span cybersecurity awareness, behaviour and culture.
Jessica’s many appearances discussing cybersecurity 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 published in the Sunday Times, Grazia and the Guardian, and frequently in industry press. Jessica and her husband and business partner FC were Guest Curators of the 2018 Cheltenham Science Festival and are keen supporters of the NCSC Cyber Schools Hub, TeenTech and the Cyber Security Challenge. They recently won an award from the UK National Cyber Security Centre for their continued commitment to schools outreach work.
In 2020, Jessica will give a keynote at RSA in February and is due to have two books published.