“Dr Jessica Barker M.B.E., for services to cyber security”
My M.B.E. investiture last week feels like a dream. It was such a wonderful experience at Windsor Castle.
Prince William was very kind and asked me astute questions about cyber security.
As a Brit who has lived in Las Vegas for the last 18 months, I humbly submit this thread of recommendations and advice for anyone coming to black hat and def con.
Feel free to ask questions and add any other recommendations!
I never could have imagined chatting to Prince William about cyber security as he pinned my MBE medal on me! 🙃🤯🤴🥳
I’ll share more pictures of today soon, but for now this video says it all!! 💜
For the last couple of years I've been giving a talk to schools called 'What Taylor Swift Can Teach us about Cybersecurity". Younger audiences relate to the examples & it shows there are diverse career opportunities. If people would find the slides useful I'd be happy to share?
Maybe it becoming official will help me believe it…
I have been awarded an MBE for services to cyber security in the King’s first Birthday Honours List!
Thank you to everyone who supports me - my husband, family, friends, team and community 💜
NEWS 🚨
HM The King’s first Birthday Honours List recognises extraordinary individuals helping to combat major challenges of our time.
Congratulations to all those receiving awards!
Read more here 👇
My book - Confident Cyber Security - is available from today.
If you know someone who'd benefit from understanding about cyber security, or who's looking to get into an important career where there's lots of opportunity, please do share/RT:
Confident Cyber Security has reached number 1 in Computer Security books on Amazon UK on day of publication! Thank you so much to everyone for their support, I’m overwhelmed and delighted 🤯💃🏼🥂
My book - Confident Cyber Security - is available from today.
If you know someone who'd benefit from understanding about cyber security, or who's looking to get into an important career where there's lots of opportunity, please do share/RT:
If you think you hate Vegas, you most likely actually hate the strip. This city is small so you can explore the other neighbourhoods! For an antidote to the strip, check out the art district for independent bars, restaurants and coffee shops + thrift stores and public art.
Last week
@__Freakyclown__
and I got married in the stunning Valley of Fire, surrounded by 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone. It was a truly amazing day!
Female teacher in New York State shared topless picture with male teacher she was dating. The picture goes around the school. She gets fired & he does not. WTAF.
Odd the article doesn’t mention that “revenge porn” was outlawed in NY state in Feb this year (I think).
lord, it is absolutely outrageous that this young teacher lost her job because some arsehole broke her trust by sharing a photo. Having a sex life does not stop you being able to teach and be a role model, FFS
A quick uber and you can get to
@AREA15official
and
@OmegaMartUSA
.
I’ve never been grocery shopping on acid, but I have been to Omega Mart so I feel like I’ve been grocery shopping on acid (good trip).
"You can't secure what you don't understand" - I totally agree. That's why we need people in this industry who understand humans as well as IT.
Do you need to know IT? Yes
Can you learn IT on top of another specialism? Absolutely.
Companies need to hire from diverse pools.
InfoSec is awkward because it can encompass both a discrete dedicated skill set, and super-set of other areas. People I respect say to get into InfoSec, get into IT. Any part. InfoSec isn’t superior, but it is often an amalgamation.
You can’t secure what you don’t understand.
Don’t miss the pinball hall of fame. It’s on Las Vegas Blvd now (opposite the Mandalay), so very easy to get to. 25,000 square feet of pinball machines with about 700 machines from old to new.
Delighted to say I’ll be giving a keynote at RSA 2020! 🎉💃🏼
25 Feb, 11am, South Stage. I’ll be speaking about the psychology of fear and cybersecurity.
Who else will be there?
#RSAC
Many people thought it would be DEF CON bringing the sphere down.
I guess it’s understandable that a sphere in the desert wouldn’t have rain in its threat model.
This time last year I had my back op. In the 2yrs before, I couldn’t stand up straight w/out pain & a 5 min walk was agony. Now I’m 99% sciatica free, getting stronger every day! Today we had a nice 5k walk to celebrate. Thank you FC for always having my back, quite literally ❤️
One of the many great things about Vegas is that there is something for everyone. Want to do something different away from the casinos? Try
@DigThisVegas
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes, so overwhelmed by all of your kindness. Sorry I’ve not been able to reply individually 💞Recovering well from the discectomy & spinal decompression, operation seems to have been a success! Being v v well looked after by
@_Freakyclown_
❤️
For those who were worried, I have great news!
@drjessicabarker
is out of surgery and doing great! Thanks to all those that sent messages of support or were even silently wishing her well! We love you all :)
I am delighted to announce that my book Confident Cyber Security will be published in September!
📙 In the UK & most of the World on 10 Sept
📙 In the US & Canada on 29 Sept
Thanks
@KoganPage
!
#ConfidentCyber
Older man drinking & smoking outside a pub, to me: “smile”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“Because I was raised not to obey the orders of men so disenfranchised they seek a pathetic form of agency over me” (yeah ok I didn’t actually say that, but rolling my eyes is the same thing right)
Cyber security awareness month officially starts tomorrow.
So here’s a different question.
What do you wish the cyber security industry was more aware of?
Well here’s a tweet I never expected to write 🤯
@_Freakyclown_
& I are excited to fly back to London tomorrow for a visit, on invitation from the King. We’re privileged to attend the Buckingham Palace Royal Garden Party next week, celebrating the coronation of King Charles III
It’s frustrating to see how snarky some cyber security professionals are every year about cyber security awareness month 😔 I understand some of it. But I also can’t help but think it’s partly down to how little this industry values the human side.
A thread 🧵
Of course - you need to see the sphere. You can often get a great view from the plane. Other good spots are the Venetian car park, the monorail and just driving past. If you get chance, go to see Postcards from Earth. It’s an amazing experience.
Want to get away from people? Red Rock is 20mins from the strip (head to Red Rock Casino or Downtown Summerlin for food / drinks before / after). Valley of Fire is 40mins. Both are stunning. Both are VERY HOT now - go for sunrise / sunset & take loads of water. Don’t wander far.
After over 18 months away from the hairdressers, my covid roots had become lengths… I finally got back to the hairdressers today. Figured it was time to get the rest of the bleach chopped out and try going darker for once ✂️🍫🤎🖤
Three months to the date since I had my back surgery, which the docs say means that my back has fully healed from the op. So of course today is the day for my first long haul flight since! And lucky me, the lovely people
@British_Airways
have upgraded me to first class! 💃🥂
Thanks to everyone who has supported me with Confident Cyber Security! I hope all who have been reading it this weekend have enjoyed it - thank you for making me a number 1 Amazon best-seller 3 days in a row 🥂🥂🥂
Oh and drink more water than you think you need. I highly recommend drinking water pretty much constantly, and I kick myself on days when I don’t do that and suddenly discover that water tastes ✨incredible✨
Seeing some ask “who is following the rules 100%?”. Lots of us. Me, my husband, parents & many others. Not because they are rules, but because of the risk. Hypocrisy is bad enough, but when leaders are so poor at judging risk - or so selfish to disregard it - it is unforgivable.
In danger of tempting fate but... I think I’ve submitted the final edits of my book to the publishers tonight. This sticker has been willing me along for the last four months, it’s now worn away and clinging on to the laptop by a fingernail. I can’t relate at all 😂
One of my personal favourites* was when I was asked “are you the WAG?” by an organiser when in a speakers room wearing a giant speakers badge. After making the guy repeat his question a couple of times, my reply “er no I’m the keynote”.
*actually opposite of favourite
If you see a woman at a technical conference, assume that she is technical
If you see a woman wearing a speaker badge at a technical conference, assume that she is actually a speaker
If you see a woman speaker at a technical conference, assume that she actually knows her shit
Want to try shooting in a safe environment? The team at American Shooters is v professional & friendly.
@_Freakyclown_
got a deal from them - take your BH / DC badge for 10% discount. You can call & book or just rock up & hope for an empty lane,
Want to get away from people AND cool off? Mount Charleston is 40 mins away and temperatures are much cooler. You can mountain bike, hike (and ski / snow board in the winter). There are a couple of places to eat and a bar.
Counting my blessings today after my first conference post-surgery in Kent yesterday. *No sciatica* despite doing a keynote, running a stand and a longish car journey. It would have been quite a different picture a few months ago! Feeling so lucky, and back at the physio today 💪
I’m at the
@WorldGovSummit
in Dubai, getting ready to speak tomorrow on an agenda packed with government and business leaders from across the world. I’m speaking about humanising cyber security and what that means for governments of the future. Wish me luck!
#WorldGovSummit
I was so pleasantly surprised to be nominated and shortlisted for this, let alone to be one of the winners! Thanks
@WATC_WeAreTech
& everyone who voted 🎉🎊🍾
It’s hard to eat a bad meal in Vegas. Depending on budget, good options on / close to the strip include
@taolasvegas
, Battista’s Hole in the Wall,
@FireflyTapas
, Ambrosia cafe & bar in the Fashion Show Mall
Two things I didn’t know until I wrote my first book:
1. Pre-sales / first week of sales has the biggest impact
2. Amazon reviews are hugely influential
Thank you for supporting my latest book ‘Hacked’ this week - out now *almost* everywhere (USA & Canada coming soon!)
13 is seen as unlucky by some, but it feels lucky to me... 13 days until my book Confident Cyber Security is published in the UK and most of the world 📙🥳
You can pre-order a copy now in the Amazon summer sale
Ahead of my keynote for RSA2020, I had a chat with Help Net Security about whether FUD works in behavioural change and why culture is so important in cyber security
#RSAC
Here we go
@RSAConference
! I’m excited for my keynote in an hour on the South Stage! If you’re not with us in San Francisco, you can watch via the live stream
#RSAC
#RSAC2020
Words can’t express how proud I am of my husband for managing his phobia to such a phenomenal extent. It’s taken, and continues to take, so much hard work from him. I’m so pleased he gets to see beautiful places that he otherwise wouldn’t have.
Just a few years ago I had never been on a plane. As part of getting over my fears, my wife
@drjessicabarker
got me a fear of flying course with
@British_Airways
. This week I achieved Gold status. Great journeys start with taking small steps and giant leaps of faith in others.
@glitchliz
@AppSecBloke
@phat_hobbit
@gabsmashh
Yep. I used to use "guys" all the time, then saw someone say "ask straight men how many guys they've dated & suddenly the term isn't gender neutral any more". That encouraged me to try switching to "folk". Or go back to my roots with "youse". Old habits die hard. Getting there.
Today is book publication day! Amazing to think that the book I was writing this time last year could be in your hands today 📙🥳💃🏼
It’s now available to order from Amazon,
@KoganPage
& all good booksellers (US and Canada, it’s coming your way v v soon!)
I’m so delighted that my book Confident Cyber Security has been nominated for this award! Thank you to whoever made the nomination, it was a lovely surprise. Good luck to my fellow nominees!
#ConfidentCyber
📙
After selling out on Amazon UK, Confident Cyber Security is back in stock! In a v busy week for publishing, it is
📙 No 1 in Computer Security (in the top 10 twice!)
📙 No 1 in other categories, inc Career Guides
📙 in the top 1000 books on Amazon UK
It was an extraordinary day for us at Buckingham Palace yesterday for the Royal Garden Party 🫖🍰👑
We were truly honoured to attend. A lovely atmosphere & such an amazing experience.
Thank you
@RoyalFamily
@KensingtonRoyal
You get an amazing view of Las Vegas Blvd and the Bellagio fountains from the rooftop of
@OleRed
. Plus great live bands, country music and line dancing.
Look up the definition of customer service and I swear, the cabin crew of BA284 (Mark, Michel and team) will be there, offering you a glass of champagne & a hot towel. Yes, I got upgraded to first again! This is why I 💙
@British_Airways
Today is my 10 year anniversary of TV & radio commentary on cyber security issues 📺
I remember that first appearance, live on the BBC Breakfast sofa talking about Snowden. I was so nervous, I barely slept the night before (never mind the 4am alarm).
We’ve published a guide to help organisations understand what to put in place to help everyone work from home with security in mind. We want you & your colleagues to feel confident that you can get on with work securely.
Stay safe & well 💜
#COVID2019
Wow, it’s been four months to the day since my
@RSAConference
keynote in San Francisco! (And what a four months...)
I spoke at
#RSAC
about why FUD doesn’t work in cyber security. First up, I answered why it works in phishing attacks but not awareness-raising 🎣
Day 6 surgery recovery, lots to be thankful for
🤗 So many kind words of support
💐 Some gorgeous flowers, including these beauties from
@MadzzHoward
😋 A
@tunnocksuk
delivery from
@alwillett
💖 My parents are visiting soon
❤️ My husband is being the best dr
😌 I’m on the mend
Thanks to the team
@isc2
& the ~1800 delegates who came to my
#ISC2Congress
closing keynote yesterday about why we should be more optimistic about cybersecurity. Special thanks to
@Michelle_ISC2
&
@johnmccumber
for being such wonderful hosts & the amazing city of New Orleans 🇺🇲
If you’re a woman in security, or a woman who wants to get into security, check out this amazing opportunity to attend Black Hat Europe for free! Applications close on 2 Nov.
Sat on a plane at Las Vegas airport, waiting to depart. An announcement from the pilot: “rather an unusual situation here, there’s snow on the wings and they’ve never de-iced a 747 here in Vegas so it may take a while”. We caught the sun sitting in the hot tub yesterday 😂
The second edition of my bestselling book - Confident Cyber Security - is out now in the USA & Canada 🇺🇸🇨🇦
It is for anyone who wants to be more confident with cyber security.
And with so much of our lives online, doesn’t everyone deserve to feel confident with cyber security?